Exeter Riverside yard no longer hosts regular freight traffic, after Heidelberg Materials ceased to use the site.
Exeter Riverside yard no longer hosts regular freight traffic, after Heidelberg Materials ceased to use the site.
The company’s last loaded stone train, originating from Whatley Quarry in Somerset, entered the yard on March 28.
Network Rail told RAIL that Heidelberg had allowed its lease to expire as there was “little point bringing aggregates from the Mendips when so much is produced locally to Exeter”.
The site is due to be handed back to Network Rail in June or July, which will then market it for freight use. It has also been listed on NR’s property website.
Jennifer Cox, Senior Surveyor (Freight) Wales and Western at Network Rail, said: “As this is a strategic freight site, any decision to let is based on the volume of rail freight proposed, as well as
the level of rent. We are hopeful, therefore, that the site will see freight again in the near future.”
Heidelberg Materials was approached for comment.
Login to continue reading
Or register with RAIL to keep up-to-date with the latest news, insight and opinion.
More articles on:
Every Wednesday, RAIL Briefing brings you the most important stories, analysis of the biggest issues and critical scrutiny from leading industry experts which will put you at the heart of a successful British railway.
Registering and logging into the site also gives you access to gated content on the RAIL website.
SIGN UP NOW
andiamo - 17/04/2025 09:45
The Transport Minister knows that suspension of the HGV road tax and fuel tax escalator gives road an increasingly unfair advantage over rail where track access charges for FOCs have risen steadily, yet nothing has been done, so the good folk of Exeter can look forward to more HGVs carrying aggregates on their roads.