Railfreight - Progress October 2006 to December 2006

• An operator has been appointed to preferred bidder status and detailed negotiations are ongoing
• A Railfreight Briefing Breakfast took place 15th November 2006 to introduce the local business community to the Rail Operators. The event has resulted in significant interest in the potential to use rail
• Marketing of the Warehouse Development Site will commence in April 2007 and complete in October 2007
• Works that have been completed include fencing works, vegetation clearance, structural assessments and construction phase planning
• Consultants are carrying out noise assessments to inform the design of the railfreight terminal

• Environmental Sustainability: Minimal clearance of vegetation has been carried out at the site as it was considered vital as the redundant railway currently acts as an important natural corridor for wildlife which must be retained wherever possible.

• Equal Opportunities & Social Inclusion: The Project Team has been working with Operators and specialist consultants to explore the opportunities for the terminal in receiving freight from and distribution freight to Europe via the Channel Tunnel.

• Innovation: Innovations will be achieved through the introduction of the railfreight facility into an existing industrial and manufacturing area. Consultation has taken place with local and national businesses to how the new rail link may be of benefit to them.

Progress Jan 2007 - March 2007

• An operator has been appointed to preferred bidder status and detailed negotiations are ongoing.
• Marketing of the Warehouse Development Site commenced in March 2007 and tenders are due in 11th May 2007.
• Works that have been completed include the construction access off Hortonwood 37 roundabout into the Terminal. The diversion of the gas main by National Grid is still ongoing.
• Consultants are carrying out noise assessments to inform the design of the Railfreight Terminal.

• Environmental Sustainability: Ecologists are currently carrying out further protected species surveys to ensure those that do exist are considered and accommodated during the development of the project. Minimal clearance of vegetation is important to help sustain the ecology in the area.

• Equal Opportunities & Social Inclusion: The Project Team has been working with the preferred Operator and specialist consultants to explore the opportunities for freight traffic flows into and out of the Terminal across the UK and possibly Europe.

• Innovation: Innovations will be achieved through the introduction of the railfreight facility into an existing industrial and manufacturing area. Consultation has taken place with local and national businesses to how the new rail link may be of benefit to them.

Progress April 2007 - June 2007

• A revised programme for delivery has been identified. The final construction contract involving laying the remaining length of track and the build of all Terminal infrastructure is to commence on site in January 2008 with the Terminal to open Summer 2008.
• Additional funding is currently being sourced into the project to bridge a funding shortage. Cabinet approval for the continued implementation of the project is predicated on securing this.
• Negotiations are taking place between the Council and the preferred bidder for the sale of the Warehouse Development Site.
• Environmental Sustainability: Ecologists have carried out further protected species surveys to ensure those that do exist are considered and accommodated during the development of the project. Minimal clearance of vegetation is important to help sustain the ecology in the area.
• Equal Opportunities & Social Inclusion: The Project Team has been working with the preferred Operator and specialist consultants to explore the opportunities for freight traffic flows into and out of the Terminal across the UK and possibly Europe.
• Innovation: Innovations will be achieved through the introduction of the railfreight facility into an existing industrial and manufacturing area. Consultation has taken place with local and national businesses to how the new rail link may be of benefit to them.

July to September 2007

• Negotiations continue between the Council and the preferred bidder for the Warehouse Development Site and draft contracts have been exchanged.
• A decision regarding the additional funding sought from the European Regional Development Fund and Advantage West Midlands is to be announced in early December 2007 .
• Ecologists have completed outstanding surveys on all developable land within the Scheme Envelope.
• Heads of Terms have been agreed with the Terminal Operator and the Agreement to Lease and Operating Agreement have been drafted.
• The preferred Terminal Operator and the Project Team continue working together to identify opportunities for freight traffic flows into and out of Telford.
• The preferred Terminal Operator continues discussions with the business community in identifying how rail can be incorporated into their logistics network.
• Construction works are due to start on site in March 2008 with completion in Autumn 2008.

Articles and adverts:

Insight Article

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