Massive £1bn rail freight hub signs up operator
West Midlands Interchange will take lorries off road network
AMAJOR new industrial hub which is aiming to move freight off the roads and onto the railways has appointed an operator.
Maritime Transport has been recruited to run the £1 billion West Midlands Interchange, the first phase of which is currently under development on land in Four Ashes west of Cannock.
Established in 2001, Felixstowebased Maritime Transport is now a £400 million-turnover business with a focus on reducing emissions in the logistics sector through its network of rail terminals and use of alternative-fuelled vehicles.
West Midlands Interchange covers 734 acres and will eventually comprise around eight million sq ft of industrial and warehouse property and be served by the West Coast Main Line and A449 dual carriageway.
The long-term aim is that the estate will help to move more logistics and freight traffic off the UK’s already congested motorway network and onto the railways.
Along with the commercial space, 109 acres has been assigned for two community parks and there will also
be a new link road connecting the project to the A5 and A449.
The park, which is expected to take around a decade to complete, could create around 8,500 jobs.
A planning application has also been submitted for new offices for Maritime Transport.
Executive chairman John Williams
said: “West Midlands Interchange is the obvious next addition to our rail network. Being the long-term operator fits exactly with our wider strategy of decarbonising the full load supply chain by moving cargo closer to the end user by rail.
“We have already substantially increased container movements by rail, from six per cent in 2019 to over 24 per cent in 2023. We are committed to this strategy of decarbonising.”
The scheme is being led by real estate investor and manager Oxford Properties Group and developer Logistics Capital Partners.
Oxford Properties’ senior vicepresident James Boadle said: “This next step to create the leading intermodal logistics facility in the UK’s Golden Triangle is a significant one.
“Demand for best-in-class logistics space that’s sustainable and well connected continues to significantly outstrip supply.
“With West Midlands Interchange poised to reduce up to 50 million kilometres of HGV traffic annually, this marks yet another milestone for a project that exemplifies both Oxford’s conviction in UK logistics and our commitment to environmental, social and governance.”
James Markby, managing partner at Logistics Capital Partners, added: “Our agreement with Maritime Transport demonstrates great confidence in the strategic success of West Midlands Interchange.
“The project is key to decarbonising UK logistics, with rail freight producing up to 70 per cent less CO2 emissions compared to road freight and a leading operator like Maritime will ensure it lives up to its potential.”