Barking Eurohub redevelopment has begun with a £15 million investment, marking the start of a three-year programme to transform the 40-acre east London site into a fully operational international intermodal freight facility. The project supports the Government’s plans to expand rail freight and restore regular cross-Channel rail freight services through the Channel Tunnel.

Rail freight containers being handled at an intermodal terminal
Illustrative image of rail freight containers being handled at an intermodal terminal. Photo: Platform4 — verify before use

International rail freight hub planned for Barking Eurohub

The ⁠redeveloped hub will handle containers and liftable lorry trailers transported by rail, together with related distribution and storage operations. Once complete, it will serve freight moving between Britain and major continental European markets, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Old sidings that currently restrict the use of parts of the site will be removed, releasing more than five acres of land for development. New berthing sidings for continental freight trains will also be created, with the changes intended to improve train movements through the terminal and support more efficient freight operations.

The connecting freight tracks and intermodal terminal sidings will be remodelled to accommodate continental freight trains of up to 700 metres, compared with the current operational limit of approximately 350 to 400 metres. Allowing longer trains to use the terminal will increase capacity, improve efficiency and enable more freight to be carried by rail.

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Infrastructure works to support cross-Channel rail freight

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.”

Network Rail Chief Executive Jeremy Westlake said:

“This is an important milestone for Network Rail and for the future of British freight. Bringing back regular cross-Channel rail freight services will help take lorries off roads, reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen trade with Europe. This investment shows how railway land and infrastructure can support businesses, communities and the environment as we move towards Great British Railways.”

Construction is the first tangible step towards restoring regular cross-Channel rail freight services, which have been significantly underused in recent years. Moving containers from road to rail will reduce lorry journeys and motorway congestion across the South East, while cutting carbon emissions and reducing wear on road infrastructure.

Barking Eurohub redevelopment starts with £15m
Photo: www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Revenue generated by the Barking Eurohub site will be reinvested in rail freight growth across Britain, supporting the Government’s ambitions for the sector through to 2050. The redevelopment is also a core objective of the future Great British Railways and demonstrates how railway land and infrastructure can help fund long-term, sustainable improvements to the network.

Rail Freight Group Director General Maggie Simpson OBE 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.”

The redevelopment is part of the Government’s wider programme to expand rail freight and restore regular cross-Channel intermodal services through the Channel Tunnel. The agreement gives Network Rail and Platform4 long-term control of Barking Eurohub to support direct rail freight links between Britain and continental Europe and encourage more goods to move by rail rather than road.

The three-year redevelopment is being delivered in partnership with Platform4 and Legal & General, with Network Rail providing infrastructure expertise throughout the programme.

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