New rail link connects Northampton rail freight interchange to West Coast main line

Construction is underway to build a new rail link from the planned SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton to the West Coast main line.

When complete next year, the strategic rail freight interchange will have 5 million square ft of warehouse space and employ up to 7,000 people.

The new railway connection, which will be used by freight company Maritime, will see thousands of tonnes of goods switch between rail and road beside Junction 15 of the M1 motorway every day.

Engineers are currently completing the railway sidings for the already constructed container terminal.

While much of the track work has been taking place without any disruption to the existing railway, the next phase will see disruption to some passenger services, with a section of the West Coast main line between Milton Keynes and Northampton closing for a week in early September.

James Dean, West Coast South route director, said, “We’re delighted to continue working closely with freight partners in delivering this new Strategic Railfreight Interchange at Northampton. This will help deliver better, faster, stronger services to support Britain’s economy and the decarbonisation of transport.

The West Coast Main Line is one of the busiest freight routes in Europe carrying 40% of all UK rail freight traffic.

To begin with four freight trains will serve the new Northampton interchange each day - with the capacity for more in future.

Each freight train takes up to 76 heavy good vehicles off the road.

Kate Bedson, SEGRO senior director of national logistics, said, “The Strategic Rail Freight Interchange is a central part of the SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton development and we look forward to the connection to the rail network being completed so that the terminal can be operational ahead of the first customer occupying the first warehouse.

John Williams, Maritime executive chairman, said: “These developments, at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton are important, long-term commitments for Maritime to reduce our environmental footprint by developing a network of low carbon, strategic freight connections across the country to promote modal shift from road to rail for container transport and for domestic distribution, with local distribution by electric-powered trucks.

“Building and operating modern, inland rail freight interchanges, supported by the largest dedicated fleet of vehicles in the country, enables us to deliver terminal to terminal rail solutions and highly efficient rail to door and door to rail services for our customers who are looking for long term, supply chain protection and sustainable transport solutions.”