Tritax Symmetry has secured an agreement with Maritime Transport, to develop, lease and operate Tritax Symmetry’s planned £750 million Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) at the controversial Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI).
Maritime Transport, the integrated road and rail freight logistics provider, will develop a 40-acre SRFI, which will be capable of handling 16 trains per day when fully operational. At full capacity, the SRFI will remove more than 83 million HGV miles from the UK road network.
The volume of goods switched from road to rail could save around 70,120 tonnes of CO2 each year.
The new terminal will sit alongside 7 million sq ft of warehouse facilities.
The scheme remains dependent on the Secretary of State for Transport’s approval of a Development Consent Order; the outcome is due in September 2024.
Jonathan Wallis, Director at Tritax Symmetry, said: “Maritime Transport’s commitment to an SRFI at this early stage is a significant first in the sector and reflects ultimate confidence in the location’s suitability for rail freight from the leading road and rail freight location provider in the UK.
“Alongside Maritime Transport’s fully fledged support, we are excited by the potential of this prime location for rail-linked logistics, which we believe will see strong demand for large scale, flexible, modern, low carbon space.”
John Williams, Executive Chairman of Maritime Transport, said: “We are delighted to agree terms with Tritax Symmetry to become the long-term operator of the new SRFI, in planning, at HNRFI. This development will strengthen our rail-connected network and our strategy of decarbonising the full load supply chain in the UK, moving cargo closer to the end user by rail.
“Our strategy of decarbonising the supply chain will extend to the introduction of BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles) to perform first and final mile transport, creating the most sustainable full load networked, intermodal logistics offering for occupiers at HNRFI and beyond.”
Tritax Symmetry is part of Tritax Big Box REIT plc and was represented by Baker Rose Consulting.
