Two new contracts to support the first phase of HS2 have been unveiled by GB Railfreight (GBRf) and Rail Stone Solutions (RSS)

The contracts are with HS2 contractors EKFB (Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial BAM Nuttall) and BBV (Balfour Beatty VINCI). GBRf and RSS are to deliver aggregates by rail to the main HS2 construction compounds.

The training of new drivers at the simulators near Peterborough is part of the deal

100 box wagons have been sourced for Balfour Beatty VINCI with GB Railfreight providing the locomotives, ground staff and drivers.

A Tarmac quarry in the Derbyshire Peak District will be used as the source for the aggregate. 157 train journeys will be made each week and move 235,000 tonnes of aggregate. Two trains can carry the same as 150 trucks and so will dramatically reduce the number of road movements between the Peak District and Birmingham.

John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight, said: “We are thrilled to be unveiling this partnership with RSS. Not only have we delivered the first freight train to an HS2 site since the green light was given to the project, we have also reinforced our commitment over the next few months to continue on this important project.

“We at GBRf are committed to increasing the amount of goods and materials transported via rail freight, reducing emissions and delivering a more sustainable logistics solution. During the course of the next four months, we will be taking 11,750 trucks off the road to transport the 235,000 tonnes of aggregates, meaning GBRf will continue to play a leading role in the decarbonisation of transport and of the UK economy as a whole.

“A special thank you for their outstanding work on this should go to my colleagues Tom Mainprize and Jack Eagling. They are the unsung heroes of this story and I pay tribute to their hard work.”

Jon Fisher, Chief Executive of GRS which operates RSS, said: “Our partnership with GBRf gives RSS unparalleled capability when it comes to supplying the massive volume of aggregate needed for major infrastructure schemes like HS2. We’re proud to have made the first delivery to the project – the time and effort we have invested in planning the delivery of materials to this landmark scheme is beginning to pay off. As a preferred supplier to several sections of HS2 we’re looking forward to working with GBRf throughout the project to deliver bulk materials in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible.”

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