New Northampton Gateway Strategic Rail Freight Interchange opens

Maritime Transport has formally opened a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) at Segro Logistics Park Northampton, one of the country's largest new rail-connected logistics hubs. The 7ha terminal, Maritime's ninth rail freight facility, was officially unveiled at a ceremony on 27 February attended by rail minister Lord Hendy, representatives from Segro, local authorities and figures from the logistics sector. Segro has invested more than GBP80M in rail infrastructure for the broader park.

The new terminal provides direct northbound and southbound access to the West Coast Main Line via the Northampton loop and is designed to accept the UK's longest and heaviest freight trains. It has capacity for up to 16 services a day and on-site container storage for more than 2,500 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units). The terminal was connected to the national network in 2025 and later that year began a five-day-a-week intermodal service to DP World Southampton, the first to operate over the reinstated Oxford-Bletchley section of East West Rail[1].

Those behind the project say the service establishes a new east-west freight corridor across central England. Additional services are planned as part of a phased expansion at Northampton, which will aim to link the terminal to other deep-sea ports and inland interchanges. The development sits in the so-called logistics "golden triangle" beside Junction 15 of the M1.

Segro's Northampton site covers more than 240ha and, when complete, is expected to deliver roughly 465,000m2 of warehousing and distribution space, with rail connectivity built in as a central feature. Its location gives rapid road access that the developers say reaches about 90% of the UK population within a four-hour drive. The opening also highlighted Maritime's push into zero-emission road haulage.

Four electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) operated by Maritime Zero were displayed at the event. Maritime is a lead partner in the government-backed Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme and has said it is deploying more than 50 eHGVs while building a large privately operated charging network for heavy vehicles. Under the eFREIGHT 2030 initiative, Northampton is planned to host high-powered charging infrastructure to enable zero-emission road movements to integrate with the rail services at the SRFI.

Company executives presented the site as a potential flagship for lower-carbon freight, combining electrified road operations with rail to reduce emissions in commercial supply chains. Rail freight is a small but growing part of UK logistics, and policymakers have pushed for modal shift from road to rail to cut emissions and congestion. Industry groups say terminals such as Northampton can improve resilience and reduce highway journeys, but analysts note that wider rail capacity, terminal utilisation and pricing will determine how quickly freight switches back from road transport.

The new rail body Great British Railways will have a statutory duty to promote rail freight to reach a target set by the secretary of state for transport. Recent developments in the sector include Network Rail's move to purchase the Barking Eurohub site to increase rail freight through the Channel Tunnel[2]. John Williams, Executive Chairman, Maritime Transport: "This year, as Maritime marks 25 years in business, the official opening of our Strategic Rail Freight Interchange at Segro Logistics Park Northampton represents another significant milestone in our journey from a small container haulier to a fully integrated road and rail freight logistics partner.

Moving freight from road to rail remains one of the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions across the supply chain. "Since 2019, we have invested more than GBP100M in developing our rail terminal network, with further investment planned to increase national capacity, strengthen connectivity between the UK's major ports and inland markets, and expand the rail capability available to our customers. We are committed to creating the cleanest, most sustainable full-load supply chain in the country, utilising rail for long-distance journeys and eHGVs for first and final miles, and Northampton Gateway Rail Freight Terminal is an important step in delivering that ambition."

Lord Peter Hendy, rail minister, said: "Our rail freight industry is hugely important to keeping goods moving across the country. We're committed to growing it because of its benefits for both the economy and environment, and our Railways Bill includes both a growth target and a duty on Great British Railways to promote rail freight. It was brilliant to be at the opening of the new Strategic Rail Freight Interchange at Northampton, which is a big vote of confidence in the rail freight industry, and I'd like to thank Segro and Maritime Transport for delivering this great new facility."

Huw Merriman, Rail Freight Group consultant and former transport minister, said: "Congratulations to John Williams and the teams at Maritime Transport and Segro for investing in, and delivering, this phenomenal new rail-connected logistics hub. The jobs, trade and growth which Maritime and Segro have delivered for UK Plc is in the finest traditions of the private sector and what it can do for our economy if encouraged and given the foundations to thrive. This new rail hub is a boost for all who strive to grow rail freight and is a testament to Maritime and Segro's commitment to move more freight on the UK's railway and decarbonise the logistics sector.

It was a pleasure to watch the project develop during my time in Government and to join for the opening on behalf of the Rail Freight Group." Paul Dunne, managing director, operations, digital and customer, Segro said: "Strategic rail freight interchanges are complex, capital-intensive infrastructure projects that only happen where we have the right location, policy environment and long-term commitment from developers, operators and Government. At Segro Logistics Park Northampton, we have invested over GBP80M to build the freight terminal and rail connections to the West Coast Main Line, helping strengthen the UK's rail freight network while supporting international trade and national supply chain resilience."

Gary Walsh, route director west Coast south, Network Rail said: "The successful delivery of the Strategic Rail Freight Interchange at Northampton is testament to collaboration across the industry and demonstrates how we can unlock new opportunities for sustainable transport.

Working closely with our partners, we're delighted to play our part in moving freight from road to rail, supporting Network Rail's commitment to reduce carbon emissions and help build a greener future for Britain's supply chains."

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References

1. ^ the first to operate over the reinstated Oxford-Bletchley section of East West Rail (www.newcivilengineer.com)
2. ^ Network Rail's move to purchase the Barking Eurohub site to increase rail freight through the Channel Tunnel (www.newcivilengineer.com)
3. ^ To receive New Civil Engineer's daily and weekly newsletters click here. (www.newcivilengineer.com)