Will freight terminal become just another lorry warehouse site?

07 Dec Will freight terminal become just another lorry warehouse site?

Will the huge monstrosity currently being built in Park Street become a road or rail freight terminal? So far there is no confirmation as to what percentage of goods will be transported by train rather than HGV. Local opinion fears that the facility will end up as a road-to-road interchange, clogging up already very busy roads with thousands of extra vehicles per day - adding to the massive queues which already exist at London Colney and Park Street roundabouts.

As planning permission was granted on the basis that an SRFI (Strategic Rail Freight Interchange) would remove traffic from the roads, not add to it, Park Street resident Gary Broadbent says he wants developers Segro to commit to it being primarily used for its original intended purpose. "Surely if planning permission was granted on the basis that this is a rail freight terminal, then there should be a requirement for the tenants to actually use the rail facilities for at least a proportion of their goods transfer? Also, given that permission was obtained on the basis that it would take traffic off the roads, logically, as a bare minimum at least half of that transfer should be by rail, otherwise it will increase, not decrease traffic levels.

"One of the main points on the original Helioslough application for this was that it would decrease traffic. "It is such a shame that permission was granted by just one man after so much local opposition and two planning inquiries, only for that permission to have been obtained under false pretences. "Given this, the very least that Segro should commit to is that it should fulfil the stated purpose. by insisting on a minimum level of rail to road transfer from future occupiers.

We are the ones who will suffer the massive increases in traffic on local roads because of this. "Given all of Segro's claims to engage with the local communities, the very least they can do is to minimise the damage they are causing here as much as possible by actually making an effort for the terminal to become what the claimed it would be." Segro community liaison officer Mike Gilhooly said: "We are committed to delivering the rail works at Segro Logistics Park Radlett.

The planning consent makes it clear that the rail related works must be completed before any of the buildings can be occupied and we believe the ability to transport goods by rail will be attractive to potential occupiers who themselves are looking for opportunities to decarbonise their operations." Senior director for national markets, Charles Blake, could not confirm the percentage of road to rail movements: "Given the complexity of logistics operations which differ from company to company, it would not be feasible to have a contractual requirement that dictates a fixed requirement to utilise the rail freight facility. There is also no requirement to do so in the planning consent.

However, I can assure you that while there may not be a contractual obligation for occupiers to use the rail terminal, we will certainly be encouraging them strongly to do so as part of the lease negotiations." Gary said new housing in the immediate area will add to the pressures on the local road network: "Although Segro are making the right noises, they aren't setting any minimum targets. I accept that may be difficult for smaller operators, but for the larger operators, it is easily possible, providing there is a willingness to do it.

"I have followed this scheme from its inception almost 20 years ago, so I am fully aware of the minor improvements Segro plans for local roundabouts and roads, but these will do little to make up for the massive increase in traffic on roads that are already full for most of the day now. "In addition to the SRFI, planning permission has recently been granted for around 1,000 new houses in the immediate area - most adjacent to the A405 towards Chiswell Green and Bricket Wood - the road that freight terminal HGV traffic will use to access the M1 and westbound M25. "Many thousands more new houses are planned as part of a 'garden village' next to the A414 near London Colney - the road that terminal HGVs will use to access the A1 and eastbound M25.

"Despite the usual developer submissions that the occupiers of these houses will use public transport or cycle, in realty, they will all be car-dependent developments, occupied by commuters. All of these will add to the daily gridlock here. "The latest Local Plan, which will be submitted to the Government for examination soon, includes provision for many thousands more.

"These will not help us, or indeed access to the SRFI.

Very little of this was anticipated in Segro's original traffic surveys."

References

1. ^ Park Street (stalbanstimes.co.uk)
2. ^ admin_albans (stalbanstimes.co.uk)