A five-year deal has been signed between GB Railfreight and GRS Rail Services, which is a joint venture between Tarmac and GRS.

The contract builds on the partnership that began in 2016 to supply services between Mountsorrel Quarry in Leicestershire and a GRS supply depot at Wellingborough in Northamptonshire.

The depot was developed thanks to Network Rail, GBRf, Tarmac, and FRS to support other projects such as the A14 redevelopment.

However, the contract has grown to serve new parts of the country, such as Swinden Quarry, in North Yorkshire, and Tunstead Quarry in Derbyshire.

Almost 100,000 lorry loads have been taken off the road thanks to the partnership.

The contract extension will allow services to be operated from the Peak District to depots at Wellingborough, Luton, Northampton and Peterborough.

John Smith, Managing Director at GB Railfreight, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be unveiling this contract extension with GRS Rail Services. We have worked with GRS for a number of years, and our partnership has been fruitful from the very start.”

“Given the uncertain economic picture we are facing at this time, it is more important than ever to continue with the work we have done so successfully throughout 2020 and today’s contract extension will ensure we keep the economy moving in the right direction as we emerge from the pandemic.”

Jon Fisher, Chief Executive at GRS, said: “Our partnership with GB Railfreight has gone from strength to strength, allowing us to meet the construction industry’s demand for aggregates with the lowest possible carbon footprint and in the most efficient way possible.”

“Rail freight produces a fraction of the carbon and particulate emissions of road haulage, and although lorries are still needed for local distribution, thanks to GB Railfreight, we can cover most of the journey from aggregates source quarries to construction site by rail. We’re looking forward to developing our partnership over the years ahead.”

Where Next?

RAILADVENT NEWS
The latest railway news
FREE NEWSLETTERS
Signup to our daily and weekly newsletters
RAILADVENT SHOP
Railway Prints, DVD’s / Blu-Ray’s, books and more
LOCOSTOP COMMUNITY
Come and share your railway pictures
UK STEAM INFO
Upcoming mainline steam tours/loco movements
GB Railfreight
Visit their website