Project overview
A proposed Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) with warehousing and other associated developments will be built on land west of Junction 12 of the M6 in southern Staffordshire.
Led by Kilbride Holdings, a partner in Four Ashes Limited the West Midlands Interchange will be linked directly to the West Coast Mainline, one of the country’s principal freight routes, and will be well placed to serve Birmingham, the northern M6 corridor, Staffordshire and parts of Warwickshire.
Developer Four Ashes Limited intends to develop a masterplan for the site which will be the subject of a full public consultation process, the first stage of which has already commenced. This will help develop more detailed proposals for a second round of consultation which is about to begin.
Our Solution
Waldeck were appointed initially as Civil and Structural Engineers on the project, undertaking the Geo-technical Investigation and are currently working on the project to complete the earthworks analysis to generate the most efficient and sustainable development approach to that part of the proposed scheme.
As the development proposals are evolved and narrowed, our team will also be concluding the Earthworks and Drainage Strategy for the project, alongside designs for new infrastructure which is required to serve the site, including several new bridges crossing rail, highways and waterways.
Waldeck’s Mechanical and Electrical Building Services Design team are also involved heavily in the project, working to minimise the environmental impact of the proposed development.
The Results
When built, The West Midlands Interchange will provide around 800,000m² of new rail-served warehousing and room for the region’s important logistics industry to grow. These proposals would create up to 8,500 new jobs in South Staffordshire and the Black Country.
Client Comments
Commenting on the project, Guy Bates, Head of Freight Development, Network Rail said:
“Network Rail recognises the importance of appropriately located intermodal terminal developments in achieving greater modal shift nationwide. To this end Network Rail is supportive of the West Midlands Interchange proposal and is engaged with the Four Ashes team in progressing the associated matters of rail infrastructure design.”