A Strategic Rail Freight Interchange for the North East? Forrest Park A Strategic Rail Freight Interchange for the North East? Peter Ollivere – Durham County Council

Content of Presentation Policy Objectives of Forrest Park Newton Aycliffe Momentum Locational Delivery and Funding New Infrastructure Next Steps

Policy (1) National Planning Statement (2015) - New facilities need to be located alongside the major rail routes, close to major trunk roads and conurbations. TfN - Logistics and Freight Report (2016) - Delivering growth in strategically located rail and water connected freight interchanges in the North of England – provide at least 50 hectares per annum County Durham Plan (Preferred Options 2016) – Likely to promote the development of a new SRFI at Forrest Park. Very up to date evidence CDP citing growing ports in the NE and the growth of inter-modal traffic as key drivers.

Policy (2) Stakeholders Championing A1 Corridor: Demand is recognised to be stronger in the A1 Corridor than the A19 (demand linked to recent investments by Hitachi and at NETPark) Appeal to industrial occupiers reflects the area’s location in the centre of the North East region with access via the strategic road network to Tyneside and Teesside. Consultees have indicated that this leaves the area well placed to benefit from the expected growth in the regional distribution sector;

Objectives of Forrest Park Stimulate Economic Growth in line with Strategic Economic Plan by: Attracting private sector investment; Facilitating skilled jobs; Consolidating North East as manufacturing hub; Provide regional opportunities to improve business routes to market; Objectives in SEP and County Durham Plan.

Location in North East The business park lies on the southern periphery of the ‘just in time’ zone for supply to Nissan in Sunderland. It is also well placed for specialist suppliers supporting process and off-shore industries in Tees Valley. 3.5km south of NA town centre. Durham City (15kms) and Tyne and Wear (40kms) to the north. Darlington is 7km to the south and the Teesside conurbation 20km to the east. On A167 and 1 minute drive from J59 of A1(M)

Site Location – Forrest Park Extension of Existing Business Park with over 250 business focusing on primarily on manufacturing and engineering Gestamp Tallent Automotive, Husqvarna, Ebac, Permoid, Lucite, Lidl and Stiller are located within the business park. Recently, Hitachi Rail Europe has relocated its train manufacturing facility to Merchant Park, as shown in Figure 2

Aycliffe Momentum – (Emp) Hitachi have invested £82million in the development of a manufacturing plant, r&d facilities and test track at Newton Aycliffe Unlike Nissan, will not require tier one suppliers to locate in close proximity. A new plant at Gestamp to advance their car manufacturing business which already employs 1,400 staff UTC - next generation of engineers, technicians and managers…

Hitachi arrival…..

NA Momentum..(Transport) Increased Public Transport Offer Capacity at J59 for increased freight deliveries- A167 and A66 Capacity on Tees Valley Line for more trains and gauge clearance for freight Direct Rail Connection to ECML and all East coast Ports New Walking and Cycle Links Darlington By-pass?

Local Transport Investment Note cyclist – not using the shared path

Delivery and Funding So what's DCC/NECA doing to support SRFI interchange at Forrest? £13m already being spent on enabling infrastructure Joint venture - DCC and Forrest Family Feasibility Study – Inter-modality

New Access and Link Road Access and internal road due for completion Sep17 Earthworks done by end of 16 New signalised junction better than L in, L out current arrangement

Utilities -Electricity (New 23 MW sub. Station) -Gas -Fowl installation of a bespoke 23MW power supply into the site, and a newly constructed power substation Power Supply due for completion Sep 17 substation switched on Gas and Foul supply New pipe all the way from Darlington N.

2011 evidence on same site Concluded: Good rail and road connection, a lack of competition in the area; Inter-modal traffic is forecasted to grow; Alternative sites dismissed; A complete absence of quality accommodation in NE; Very confident that site would have a positive impact on property market. Feasibility Report for Forrest Park (then Newton Park) – Prepared by Cushman and Wakefield (2011)

Challenges Topography of site; Proving Occupier Interest (new study); Rail spur into site and other freight handling issues; Securing additional funding in context of devolution uncertainty (if required)

Next Steps…. With a lot of work already done… Consultants briefing to Identify Occupier Interest for rail freight in - Jan 17 Enabling Infrastructure in line with final masterplan for SRFI - Sep 17 Need to build on recent Aycliffe Business Park momentum and attract Investors And……

The first SRFI in region. What it could like, very indicative at this satge

Many Thanks E-mail - Peter.ollivere@durham.gov.uk Phone - 03000261915