Back to News
Delivering key infrastructure assessments for proposed strategic rail freight interchange
7th Oct 2016
Hydrock has been appointed by Ashfield Land to deliver key aspects of the pre-planning work for Rail Central, a proposed new Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) with associated logistics/warehouse buildings in Northamptonshire.
Rail Central is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) under the Planning Act 2008. This means the process for determining planning consent will be a Development Consent Order (DCO) which will be informed by the current consultation programme that Ashfield Land has begun with the publication of a Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC). A number of consultation events are also taking place within the neighbouring communities.
The proposed site has strategic connectivity to key transport infrastructure – namely the West Coast Main Line, the Northampton Loop Line, the A43 and the M1.
Hydrock is supporting Ashfield Land with a range of assessments that cover flood risk, drainage studies, utilities, ground investigation and geotechnical advice.
Speaking about Hydrock’s role in the development programme, Dave Lawes, Strategic Projects Director at Hydrock said: “We are delighted to be involved with this prestigious project, delivering a range of technical skills to help inform our client, Ashfield Land with the strategic direction for the feasibility and development of this significant site. Ultimately, Rail Central will support the government’s agenda for moving more freight on rail which clearly has significant benefit for both the economy and the sustainability agenda.”
An SRFI is a freight interchange and logistics hub which is linked to both rail and road which helps to maximise efficiency and sustainability in how goods are moved from the point of supply to the point of demand. The Rail Central project is likely to provide up to 8 million sq ft of storage and distribution space with rail infrastructure, service depot, HGV facilities, associated access, ground works, highways, landscaping and other accompanying infrastructure works.
It is anticipated that the DCO will be submitted in the summer of 2017.
Explore related
- News

Hydrock assists GRAHAM in achieving industry accreditation for carbon management system
Read more- News

Lights, Camera, Action! Sunderland gets set for Hollywood with planning approval of Crown Works Studios
Read more- News

Hydrock’s fire safety experts support planning application for new R&A project in St Andrews
Read more- News

Hydrock brings expertise to NHS estates programme to help meet sustainability and safety goals
Read more- News

Ground-breaking land contamination conceptual model paves the way to a cleaner and safer future at Sellafield
Read more- News

James McNay joins HSE Industry Competence Committee (ICC) to guide safer building construction for everyone
Read more- News

Hydrock appointed to deliver catheterisation scanner suite at St Bartholomew’s Hospital
Read more- News

Hydrock nets geo-environmental and geo-technical role on multi-million-pound Belle Vue Academy site
Read more- News

Hydrock support successful planning application to extend Western Community Hospital in Southampton
Read more- News

Hydrock’s Civil & Structural engineering team appointed on next stages of £104m Patchworks development
Read more- News

Hydrock supports feasibility and planning application on Grade II listed buildings in Leeds
Read more- News

Civils & Structures team move to detailed design with Mi-space on 4.65ha Barne Barton site
Read more- News

Hydrock advising BoKlok – the Skanska and IKEA joint venture modular housing business
Read more- News

Hydrock on the strategic masterplan team for Cyber Central Garden Community, Cheltenham
Read more- News

Hydrock's multi-disciplinary expertise helps unlock massive residential site in Bristol
Read more- News

Stunning new headquarters for English National Ballet unveiled by London mayor, Sadiq Khan
Read more- News

Hydrock provides engineering services to transform Grade II* listed Cleveland Pools lido in Bath
Read more- News

Transport team contribute to successful planning submission to revive Andrew Gibson House, Merseyside
Read more- News

Multi-disciplinary advice helps secure planning for landmark footbridge in Pontypridd
Read more- News

Ground investigation work contributes to planning application for 282 homes in Stretford, Manchester
Read more- News

Hydrock helps secure planning for refurbishment of historic Generator Building, Bristol
Read more- News

Ground-breaking initiative to provide affordable housing to transform lives of Bristol’s young homeless
Read more- News

The University of the West of England (UWE) appoints Hydrock to design new multimillion pound engineering building
Read more- News

Hydrock supports Linkcity with planning submission for 375 new homes in central Bristol
Read more- News

Hydrock’s highways and infrastructure advice helps secure planning approval for 345,000 sq ft industrial unit at CORE 42
Read more- News

Hydrock appointed to appraise transport issues within historic Porthcurno Valley, Cornwall
Read more- News

Hydrock’s transportation team help secure planning on 400-bed student scheme in Bournemouth
Read more- News

Hydrock delivers the multi-disciplinary engineering design on two middle schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf
Read more- News

Kier appoints Hydrock to design Bristol Aerospace Centre – the permanent home for Concorde
Read more- News

Appointed to support the delivery of world-class resources for the UK’s agri-tech sector
Read more- News

Steel frame designed for Bright Bricks’ 160,000 piece LEGO® version of the Soyuz Capsule
Read more- News

Hydrock appointed by John Sisk & Son Ltd to deliver works on Manchester Life development
Read more- Articles
