DB Cargo UK and CEMEX introduce ‘pop-up’ rail depot

DB Cargo UK and CEMEX have opened a ‘pop up’ rail depot to serve the growing North West construction market and reduce the number of HGVs transporting materials from the picturesque High Peak countryside.

The ‘pop-up’ depot was installed in weeks on land adjacent to the West Coast Mainline using a ready-made weighbridge and office.

The temporary site, based in Warrington, Cheshire, will handle around 125,000 tonnes of aggregates each year.

The aggregates are transported from Dove Holes Quarry in Derbyshire on two weekly rail services, with each train carrying approximately 1,540 tonnes of aggregates. Up to 150 HGVs would be needed to carry this by road.

The service provides significant environmental benefits as rail freight produces around 76% less CO2 than HGVs for the equivalent journey.

DB Cargo UK is also responsible for unloading the aggregates at Warrington, where they are later transported to local concrete plants and construction sites by road.

Mark Grimshaw-Smith, Head of CEMEX Rail and Sea, 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 busy roads, a major time saving. In 2015 we transported 2.3 million tonnes by rail equivalent to 80,000 truck movements.”

Mick Tinsley, Head of Sector, Building, Infrastructure and Construction at DB Cargo UK, said:

“The pop-up depot and service we provide demonstrates how rail transportation is becoming more flexible and innovative.

“We are delighted to be working with our long-standing customer CEMEX on this project, which will have significant benefits for local areas of the High Peak by easing road congestion.”