Government denies plans for £800m rail freight interchange

Plans for the controversial Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange project, which could create thousands of jobs, have been turned down by the Government.

Tritax Big Box Developments (TBBD), the developer behind the scheme, last month made a further submission the Secretary of State Heidi Alexander MP, that it hoped would bring forward a decision on a Development Consent Order (DCO) application for Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI), an £800m strategic rail freight interchange project in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

Tritax Big Box says the project, when complete, is projected to generate between £329m and £406m per year in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy.

Tritax Big Box Developments has referred to the project as a “once in a generation opportunity to deliver a major infrastructure project, which has rail freight, sustainability and economic growth at its core.”

However, Blaby District Council is less keen, with councillor Terry Richardson, council leader, and councillor Ben Taylor, portfolio holder for planning, outlining what they are calling “major issues” in a recent letter to the Government.

Both had written to Heidi Alexander MP, following her recent appointment as Secretary of State for Transport.

TBBD said it is “disappointed” by the decision.

A spokesperson added: “We are seeking legal advice on the next steps available to us and will review our position when that advice is received.

“We remain committed to delivering critical supply chain infrastructure that is key to the UK economy, with rail freight connectivity a key driver of the modal shift in the sector.”