New Northampton rail freight interchange reaches key stage

Railway engineers are about to enter an important phase to connect a major new rail freight interchange to the West Coast main line in Northampton.

Drone footage has been released showing where the new link to the Strategic Rail Freight Interchange at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton will soon be built.

When complete next year, the huge facility will have five million square ft of warehouse space and employ up to 7,000 people.

The new railway connection, which will be used by freight company Maritime, will see thousands of tonnes of goods switch between rail and road beside Junction 15 of the M1 motorway every day.

For that to happen, engineers are currently completing the railway sidings for the already constructed container terminal.

While much of the track work has been taking place without any disruption to the existing railway, the next phase will see changes to some passenger services.

Next month railway teams will connect the under-construction interchange to one of Europe’s busiest mixed-use passenger and freight railway lines, by installing new track, points and signalling systems.

Installing that complex kit means a section of the West Coast main line between Milton Keynes and Northampton must close between Saturday, September 2 and Sunday, September 10.

During this time, there will be no direct services between North Wales and London, journeys will take longer on diversionary routes, could involve rail replacement buses and train timetables will be different.

Passengers are being advised to check before they travel by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk to plan their journey in advance.

James Dean, West Coast South route director, said: “We’re delighted to continue working closely with freight partners in delivering this new Strategic Railfreight Interchange at Northampton. 

“This will help deliver better, faster, stronger services to support Britain’s economy and the decarbonisation of transport.”

The West Coast Main Line is one of the busiest freight routes in Europe carrying 40% of all UK rail freight traffic.

To begin with four freight trains will serve the new Northampton interchange each day - with the capacity for more in future.

Each freight train takes up to 76 heavy good vehicles off the road, making it a much greener way to transport economically important goods around the country.