The UK’s Department for Transport has announced a landmark government-backed deal that could soon see rail freight return to the Channel Tunnel. The British infrastructure manager Network Rail will take long-term control over the Barking Eurohub site in east London, which will then be transformed into an international logistics hub.
A 15 million pound investment will follow the Network Rail takeover of the Barking Eurohub site. This funding should turn the site into the logistics hub. Once completed, the investment will help support the return of regular intermodal freight trains.
Network Rail is said to be in discussions with several organisations that have already expressed interest in becoming the international rail freight operator at the transformed Barking Eurohub site.
The return of rail freight to the Channel Tunnel would be a big development for the industry. There have not been any regular services between the UK and the rest of Europe since 2023. Two flows defined the market for many years before that: a connection between the Grember hub near Cologne and Wembley near London (abandoned since 2009), and one between Valencia and Dagenham (discontinued in 2023).
More UK-EU trade
With regular freight services through the tunnel in place, UK businesses could directly trade with the European mainland via rail, the British Transport Department highlights. The Department adds that a revival of Channel Tunnel rail freight could reduce road congestion and lead to less pollution and fewer potholes.
“Growing rail freight is a key part of the Government’s ambitions to reform the rail network. Once Great British Railways is established, it will have a statutory duty to promote rail freight’s use, and the Transport Secretary will set growth targets”, the transport department writes.
Currently, only a very small proportion of rail freight passes through the Channel Tunnel, and this is limited to bulk, single customer orders. This means most freight between the UK and Europe travels via sea, with goods then moving onwards through Britain via roads.
“This deal is a huge opportunity to reinvigorate rail freight by paving the way for the return of regular services through the Channel Tunnel”, said the UK’s rail minister Lord Hendy. “It will boost British businesses by opening new trade links to Europe by delivering a faster and more sustainable way to transport goods to the continent and back. This is all part of our plan to use our railways to support economic growth and jobs.”