A fully loaded aggregate train has made the inaugural delivery to Ashcourt Group’s new rail terminal in Grimsby. It marks a significant milestone in the company’s rail logistics expansion. The service, operated by GB Railfreight, was the first of many expected to feed the concrete and aggregates facility that opened in late 2024.
The train’s arrival underscores Ashcourt’s commitment to modal shift. Rail freight is now playing a central role in the company’s bulk materials supply chain across Lincolnshire and the wider Humber region. It also signals growing confidence in regional rail freight as a sustainable alternative to long-haul road transport, especially in the heavy construction and infrastructure sectors.
A landmark delivery for a growing regional player
The June delivery brought in a full rake of limestone products, including “MOT Type 1, 20/10mm, 20/4mm and 10/4mm gradings”, destined for construction clients across the Lincolnshire and Humberside region. The train was handled by GB Railfreight, a long-standing operator in the sector, and represents the first commercial working into the newly developed Grimsby railhead.
“This is the first of many train deliveries into the new Grimsby railhead,” said Jonny Waller, Commercial Director at Ashcourt Group. His remarks, posted on social media channels, were accompanied by images of the rake being discharged on-site, evidence of the operational readiness of the new facility. The terminal sits on the South Humberside Industrial Estate, with direct access to the national network via the South Humberside Line.
Rail freight and aggregates logistics
Ashcourt’s investment at Grimsby is more than just a local logistics upgrade. It reflects a broader involvement for rail freight in the UK aggregates industry, which is increasingly focused on sustainability, emissions reduction, and supply chain efficiency. Each loaded train can offset up to 90 HGV movements, with a corresponding drop in CO₂ emissions per tonne-kilometre of around 75 per cent.
The Grimsby site complements Ashcourt’s vertically integrated model, spanning quarrying, wash plant processing (automated sorting of stone materials), and ready-mix concrete. The company already operates wash plants at Pocklington and has been actively expanding its footprint across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The 2023 acquisition of Brianplant (Humberside), now trading as Ashcourt Lincolnshire, added the Grimsby railhead to the group’s infrastructure.
Sustainability and strategy drive Ashcourt’s modal shift
From the outset, the Grimsby development was designed with multimodal operation in mind. With construction clients increasingly seeking low-carbon credentials, the ability to deliver at scale by train is a key differentiator. “The facility is a big win for the business and for sustainable delivery in the region,” said a company spokesperson.
As volumes ramp up, Ashcourt’s move into rail marks another step in the renaissance of construction bulk rail freight. It’s a sector showing real momentum, driven by infrastructure demand and backed by operators like GBRf. The Grimsby delivery is just the first.