Freightliner has announced the commencement of two significant new five-year Heavy Haul rail contracts with Breedon Group plc. One agreement renews an existing cement transport contract, while the second is a brand-new contract for moving aggregates from multiple sites to various delivery points across the UK.
The first aggregate service for Breedon under the new contract began on Saturday 28th June. This five-year agreement encompasses the movement of aggregates from Dowlow and Shap Quarries to Breedon’s sites at Ashbury and Walsall, as well as deliveries to additional third-party locations nationwide.
To support this new aggregates contract, Freightliner has deployed its powerful Class 70 locomotives. These locomotives enable the operation of longer and heavier trains, contributing to increased output, enhanced efficiency, and a more sustainable operation.
In a notable move towards sustainable innovation, Freightliner is also repurposing a residual coal fleet into aggregate box wagons. This initiative is being undertaken in partnership with WH Davis, a leading provider of wagon design and manufacture, and Porterbrook, a prominent British rolling stock company. These wagon conversions, carried out at the WH Davis factory in Mansfield, will support the UK supply chain and give new life and service to an otherwise redundant fleet. Furthermore, Freightliner has made a significant investment in a new maintenance and fuelling facility at Dowlow Quarry to further increase the operational efficiency of this contract.
The renewed cement contract extends a longstanding agreement between Breedon and Freightliner, which has been in place for over 25 years. This agreement covers the transport of cement from Hope Cement Works to distribution sites across the UK, including Dagenham, Theale, Dewsbury, and Walsall. In addition to these flows, the recently renewed contract also includes the movement of Alternative Raw Materials (ARM), delivering materials from Llandudno and Drax Power Station into the cement works. To support the increased traffic in and out of the busy Hope Cement Works, Freightliner has made significant investments at Earles Sidings, helping to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
Tony Power, Product Category Manager for Breedon Group, commented: “Our two new five-year agreements with Freightliner are a major step forward in our drive for safety, sustainability and efficiency improvements across our rail portfolio. Freightliner’s can-do attitude in delivering excellent service and performance have been key to satisfying the requirements of all stakeholders across the Breedon business.”
Dave Penney, Freightliner, said: “We are delighted to be extending our partnership with Breedon continuing to operate the cement contract and commencing the movement of aggregates across the UK. Our long-standing partnership is a testament to the great service reliability that the Freightliner team deliver day in, day out for Breedon.”
These new contracts underscore the growing importance of rail freight in supporting key UK industries and highlight a commitment to efficiency, sustainability, and collaborative innovation within the rail sector.
