A multi million pound contract was signed last week, putting the final phase of construction of a new rail freight terminal on track for a start in just a few weeks time.
A multi million pound contract was signed last week, putting the final phase of construction of a new rail freight terminal on track for a start in just a few weeks time.
Wrekin Construction will be starting work in Donnington on June 2. Construction is anticipated to finish in December 2008 with the terminal opening early in 2009.
Once open, the terminal will have open access for traffic from all businesses who wish to take advantage of rail. At the same time Telford & Wrekin Council will start to market about 26 acres of land directly next to the terminal.
It is the development of this land that will bring the bulk of the jobs which the terminal is expected to create.
In addition to improving the town’s infrastructure, the council says it will help to make Telford and Wrekin a more attractive place for businesses and employment creation.
Viable
They say it will also help to reduce the numbers of HGVs on the region’s roads by making rail transport to the Telford hub a more viable and greener alternative.
Even just one train a day will have the potential to cut by 100 the number of lorry journeys in the region.
Councillor Stephen Bentley, cabinet member for environment said: “This is great news for the borough and the terminal will bring real economic and environmental benefits, attracting new businesses to the area.
“It will help make the borough an important hub for local businesses while also helping to reduce the traffic on the region’s roads.
“I’m sure this will mean more jobs and less heavy goods traffic on the road network which I know many of us will welcome.
Investment
“It will also support the goals outlined in the climate change strategy the council is working on which looks at a number of different ways of reducing carbon emissions in the borough.”
Councillor Eric Carter, cabinet member for regeneration, added: “The terminal will represent a major investment in the borough’s economic future and will underline Telford’s role as a major growth centre.”
The multi-million pound terminal has been funded by a range of partners including the council and is supported by money from the European Regional Development Fund.
