Work has officially begun on a £15 million programme to transform Barking Eurohub into a modern international rail freight terminal, marking a significant milestone in plans to expand cross-Channel freight services and grow rail freight between the UK and mainland Europe.
The three-year redevelopment will convert the 40-acre east London site into a fully operational international intermodal hub capable of handling containers and liftable lorry trailers travelling by rail through the Channel Tunnel.
Once complete, the facility will support direct freight services to major European markets including France, Germany, Italy and Spain, while helping deliver the Government’s ambitions to increase rail freight and strengthen international trade.
Longer trains and greater capacity
The project includes the removal of redundant sidings that currently constrain parts of the site, releasing more than five acres of land and creating new berthing sidings for continental freight trains.
Network Rail will also remodel the connecting freight lines and terminal sidings so the site can accommodate international freight trains of up to 700 metres, almost double the current operational limit of around 350 to 400 metres.
The longer train capability is expected to increase capacity, improve operational efficiency and enable more freight to be transferred from road to rail.
Supporting freight growth
The redevelopment represents one of the first major investments aimed at restoring regular cross-Channel rail freight services, which have remained significantly underused in recent years.
By enabling more goods to move by rail, the project is expected to reduce lorry traffic on roads across the South East, helping cut congestion, lower carbon emissions and reduce wear on the strategic road network.
Revenue generated from the completed Eurohub will be reinvested into further rail freight development across Britain, supporting the Government’s ambition to grow rail freight by 2050 and aligning with the future objectives of Great British Railways.
Strengthening international trade
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.”
Network Rail Chief Executive Jeremy Westlake described the scheme as an important milestone for the freight sector.
“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.”
Industry backing
The project has also been welcomed by the freight sector, which has long called for greater utilisation of Channel Tunnel rail freight capacity.
Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General of the Rail Freight Group, 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 redevelopment is being delivered through a partnership between Network Rail, Platform4 and Legal & General, with Network Rail providing infrastructure expertise throughout the three-year construction programme.
