The UK has started working on a project to modernise the Barking Eurohub freight terminal in east London. Valued at 15 million pounds, the work should enable the facility to handle containers and craneable lorry trailers arriving and departing by rail through the Channel Tunnel.
Continental-profile freight trains which are too large for the loading gauge on the rest of the UK rail network can reach Barking Eurohub via the High Speed 1 railway, but international rail freight volumes have never reached the levels that were projected when the Channel Tunnel opened.
The site is owned by Legal & General, and was previously leased to DB Cargo, which had been seeking to withdraw. In February, a government-backed deal was announced for Network Rail to take over the terminal under a long-term lease.
Freight hub
In an announcement on 13 July that work to modernise the site had now begun, Network Rail said its aim was to re-establish direct cross-Channel freight services and make the site into a “significant” hub for freight travelling to and from markets including France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Possible import traffic could include fresh fruit and vegetables, with exports potentially including whisky, white goods and consumer goods. Income generated would be reinvested across Britain to support the government’s 2050 rail freight growth ambitions.
Freight sector insiders report that at least five operators have already expressed interest in running cross-Channel services to and from Barking, with continental European origins and destinations ranging from the Benelux region to Poland and Italy. Also under discussion is the potential for transhipping containers and swap bodies from European wagons to UK compatible vehicles for onward movement to terminals in northern England, Wales or Scotland.
Redevelopment project
The work will include removing some old sidings to free up more than 2 hectares of land and the creation of berthing sidings for continental freight trains. The connecting tracks and intermodal terminal sidings will be reconfigured to handle international freight trains up to 700 metres long, compared with the current limit of 350 to 400 metres.
The remodelling is aimed at improving the flow of trains through the terminal and supporting more efficient operations.
Lorries off the roads
“Bringing back regular cross-Channel rail freight services will help take lorries off roads, reduce carbon emissions and strengthen trade with Europe”, explained Network Rail CEO Jeremy Westlake. “This investment shows how railway land and infrastructure can support businesses, communities and the environment as we move towards Great British Railways.”
Rail Minister Lord Hendy said the “significant investment in international rail freight” would “boost British businesses by opening new trade links and deliver faster, more sustainable ways to transport goods between the UK and Europe”.
This article was originally published by our sister publication Rail Business UK.
