DB Cargo UK has delivered a record breaking 2 million tonnes of construction materials on behalf of CEMEX UK this year, it has announced. It means the company is taking the equivalent of 65,000 truck movements off the United Kingdom’s over-populated roads.

It works in partnership with CEMEX – seen as the market leader in ready-mixed concrete – to operate approximately 40 trainloads per week, mostly out of Dove Holes Quarry in the High Peak district to 11 locations around the country. The aggregates transported are primarily used in construction projects, mostly in concrete, the most consumed commodity in the world after water.

Supply chain

Jon Clarke, Account Manager at DB Cargo UK, said: “This is a tremendous effort from everyone involved. We are proud to be an integral part of Cemex’s supply chain, responsible for moving this product by rail safely, efficiently and in a way that minimises the effect on the environment.”

CEMEX has also opened a new ‘pop-up’ rail depot in Warrington, in north west England, to help meet the growing demand for construction aggregrates in the region. It has the capability to handle around 125,000 tonnes a year. The aggregates are transported in box wagons, unloaded with a grabber and stockpiled on site, awaiting local transportation by road to concrete plants and construction sites.

Pop-up rail depot

Mark Grimshaw-Smith, Head of Rail and Sea at CEMEX, said: “A pop-up rail depot can be installed in weeks rather than months and gives the flexibility to move aggregates from quarries to areas where they are needed, especially in the short term. So with the right piece of land close to the rail network you can create a depot.

“Rail has considerable economic and environmental benefits compared to road transportation with significant CO2 savings and on our busy roads, is a major time saving. The 2 million tonnes by rail is equivalent to 65,000 truck movements taken off our congested road network. It’s great to see even more moving across the UK by rail.”