A rather monumental step chug has been taken in the direction of turning Barking Eurohub (a 40-acre site in – you guessed it, folks… Barking) into a modern international rail freight hub. Network Rail has just announced that redevelopment work has begun and the wheels are officially in motion to make the Government’s plans to re-establish direct freight services through the Channel Tunnel a reality.
A whopping £15 million has been invested into the project which will see a new lease of life given the the east London site. The redevelopment will transform the terminal into a ‘significant hub for freight travelling to and from major continental European markets‘.
The work will involve the removal of currently restrictive old sidings, freeing up over 5 acres of additional land. This is set to improve the flow of trains and make freight operations far more efficient. The current infrastructure will also be extended and remodelled to allow for freight trains up to 700 metres long, thus increasing capacity and – once again – improving efficiency within the terminal.
The Barking Eurohub is being revamped in a bid to revive cross-Channel rail freight which is currently not utilised to its full potential. It’s hoped that the work will mean that thousands of lorries will be removed from British roads, easing congestion and reducing emissions as a result.
Rail Minister Lord Hendy said: “This significant investment in international rail freight will boost British businesses by opening new trade links and deliver faster, more sustainable ways to transport goods between UK and Europe.
“Our ambitious targets for rail freight are strengthening UK supply chains, supporting economic growth and jobs and cementing the UK’s position as a hub for international trade.”
Maggie Simpson OBE, Rail Freight Group’s Director General, said: “It’s great to see the rapid progress in developing this important site which is essential to the future of international rail freight. We look forward to seeing the development take shape and new services starting in due course.”
