Work has officially begun to transform Barking Eurohub into a modern international rail freight hub, marking a major step forward in the Government’s plans to grow rail freight and re-establish direct cross-Channel freight services through the Channel Tunnel.
The transformation will see Barking Eurohub – a 40-acre site located in east London – redeveloped into a fully operational international intermodal freight facility. It will feature an intermodal terminal capable of handling containers and liftable lorry trailers arriving and departing by rail and a campus of related distribution and storage activity. Once complete, the site will act as a significant hub for freight travelling to and from major continental European markets including France, Germany, Italy and Spain via the Channel Tunnel.
Work will involve removing old sidings that currently restrict parts of the site, freeing up more than five acres of land and creating new berthing sidings for continental freight trains. This will improve the flow of trains through the terminal and support more efficient freight operations.
The connecting freight tracks and intermodal terminal sidings will be remodelled to handle continental freight trains up to 700 metres long, compared with the current operational limit of around 350 to 400 metres. This will allow longer trains to use the terminal, increasing capacity, improving efficiency and helping move more freight by rail.
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.”
Jeremy Westlake, Network Rail’s Chief Executive, 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.”
The works represent the first tangible step in returning regular cross-Channel rail freight services, which have been significantly underutilised in recent years. Shifting containers from road to rail will reduce lorry journeys and congestion on motorways across the South East, cutting carbon emissions and reducing wear on road infrastructure.
Income generated from the Barking Eurohub site will be reinvested into freight growth across Britain, supporting the Government's 2050 rail freight ambitions. The redevelopment is a core objective of the future Great British Railways and demonstrates how railway assets can be used to fund long-term, sustainable improvements to the network.
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.”
The Barking Eurohub site is being redeveloped in partnership with Platform4 and Legal & General, with Network Rail providing infrastructure expertise throughout the three-year programme.
