Another week, another new aggregates terminal in the UK. This time, it’s far out. Far out east – as far out east as it is possible to go on the British mainland and still be on dry land. Lowestoft is the latest destination on the aggregates map of UK rail freight.

A collaboration of effort from agencies, commercial interests and planners made possible the establishment of a new, albeit modest, terminal for imported aggregates. Loads, delivered by sea, are transferred by rail to sites potentially all around the UK. The site has been in planning for several years but has finally seen its first train depart.

First train of many

The planning partners, consultancy Intermodality, had worked with Network Rail on initial design work in 2018. “Construction started on site in 2019, leading up to the first train of imported aggregates leaving Lowestoft bound for Longport, to help address the growing demand for construction materials”, said a spokesperson.

The Longport destination is the Stoke-on-Trent facility belonging to Land Recovery, an aggregates specialist headquartered in nearby Crewe. It’s noted that the aggregates come from quarried sources and are not dredged materials.

Lots of work and dedication

Posting on social media, David Young, the business development manager – Freight for the Transition Team at Great British Railways, a new incoming management agency, was delighted by the inaugural run. “First aggregate train from Lowestoft today. Lots of work and dedication by Land Recovery, Colas Rail Freight and Network Rail and GBRTT to get this up and running.”

Intermodality, who play down their role, modestly note their extensive portfolio of similar works, including the recent openings at Sheffield Tinsley and the highly praised reactivation and repurposing of moribund rail facilities at Newhaven Port on the south coast of England.

Video content scanned from social media post by David Young.