New rail freight hub for London

By Liza Helps Property Editor Logistics Matters

THE PROPOSED scheme on the last parcel of land left over from the 2012 London Olympics site was given the go ahead this week from planners with the London Legacy Development Corporation in its final act before it hands its powers back to the local councils.

In its first independent planning submission Network Rail intends to develop the capital's largest integrated rail freight logistics hub totalling a some 3 million ft2 which would include 657,000 ft2 of storage and distribution space, up to 54,000 ft2 of commercial space and up to 226,000 ft2 of offices, as well as up to 495,000 ft2 of workspace along with 350,000 ft2 of leisure space including roof top pitches, and open landscaped parks of around 200,000 ft2 for the community.

Network Rail’s group property director Robin Dobson said: “The approval of this masterplan is a major milestone in repositioning the property business. It marks our ambition to drive growth and investment across our brownfield estate, taking the lead on complex projects to ensure we deliver the widest mix of commercial and social opportunities.”

It is thought he scheme could provide up to 5,000 jobs.

Rail freight plays a large role in the UK economy, contributing £2.5bn nationally a year. 

Network Rail worked with architecture and engineering firms Maccreanor Lavington Architects and Urbanists, UMC Architects, Architecture 00, East, WSP and make:good to develop the plans. Useful Projects, Montagu Evans, and Currie and Brown acted as consultants.