Network Rail helps building group open new freight yard

At a site in West London, Network Rail has been supporting a construction firm to open a new freight yard next to its existing aggregates base.

The project will revive a disused rail siding at Thorney Mill, West Drayton, to allow the Ashville Group to place more loads onto freight trains. The new track layout will enable capacity for 26 freight wagons, two more than at present.

Currently, hauls from the site must use a section of branch line to manoeuvre to and from the loading area, but the new track layout of the sidings will let freight trains complete a ‘run round’ on site.

As part of the restoration of the freight sidings, NR carried out essential repairs to the branch line earlier this year.

Jess Lippett, senior regional freight manager for Network Rail’s Wales and Western region, said: “The project at Thorney Mill is a great example of partnership working, allowing us to help expand the site for the Ashville Group, which will in turn enable freight operators to carry greater loads. The new sidings will open up the potential for different types of material to be transported all across the UK, while increasing the number of trains that can use the site each day.

“Just one freight train can remove up to 76 lorries from the roads, with every tonne of material carried by rail reducing carbon emissions by 75% when compared with road transport.”