The completion follows a 54-hour rail possession over the Easter period, during which SEGRO and its contractor Winvic, along with Network Rail delivered all critical elements of the scheme, including the commissioning of the main line and intermodal signalling.
The rail terminal connects to the West Coast Mainline via the Northampton Loop Line and is expected to play a pivotal role in shifting freight movement from road to rail, reducing emissions and congestion.
Kate Bedson, Senior Director, National Markets at SEGRO, said:
“We’re excited to see real momentum at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton, with the completion of the rail freight terminal infrastructure and strong progress on Yusen Logistics’ new facility – the first warehouse on the park to be constructed.
“Each freight train can remove up to 76 HGVs from the road with a consequential reduction in carbon emissions, making this a crucial step towards more sustainable logistics. With rail freight contributing £1.7 billion to the economy, this milestone is not only a shot in the arm for growth, also it supports a greener, more efficient supply chain.”
Tony Berryman, Senior Sponsor for Network Rail’s West Coast South route, said:
“Completing work to connect the new SEGRO freight interchange to the West Coast Main Line at Northampton formed a key part of our Easter weekend improvements, alongside several major track upgrades to make journeys on Europe’s busiest mixed-use railway better.
“Reducing carbon emissions is a key priority for Network Rail, and we’re excited about the opportunities Northampton’s new freight hub brings. By supporting the shift of freight from road to rail, it will help cut congestion and lower emissions. The new interchange also highlights the environmental benefits of rail freight, such as significantly reducing CO2 output and decreasing the number of heavy goods vehicles on our roads.”
The rail terminal is part of SEGRO’s wider £200 million investment in local infrastructure around Northampton, delivered in partnership with National Highways, Network Rail and local authorities.
The development has consent for 5 million sq ft of logistics and warehousing space and can accommodate units starting from 100,000 sq ft.
The development is expected to create around 7,500 new jobs and will provide over 80 acres of parkland and amenity grassland, 18 kilometres of footpaths, 20 kilometres of hedgerows, and 60,000 newly planted trees — enhancing biodiversity and improving community access to green space.
Other improvements completed over the last year include upgrades to M1 Junction 15, the A508, and the A45, significantly enhancing access and traffic flow. Final landscaping and perimeter works are set to be completed soon.
Located adjacent to Junction 15 of the M1, just four miles from Northampton, the park is one of the UK’s premier multi-modal logistics hubs.
