DCO support for Rail Central SRFI

Challenge

Rail Central is a proposed new strategic rail freight interchange in Northamptonshire. The Government has identified a clear need for more goods to be transported by rail because moving goods up and down the country efficiently, safely and sustainably is vital to the UK economy. The project is being brought forward by Ashfield Land and Gazeley GLP.

Solution

We were brought on board to help with the Development Consent Order (DCO) application, which was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINs) on 29 October 2018.

Impact

We first undertook a peer review before being appointed to promote the scheme through the DCO process. This involved critically examining assumptions made and the methodology applied, ranging from the detail of appropriate red line boundaries to strategic effects on the highway network and required mitigation. We also sought to increase the emphasis on the Sustainable Transport Strategy.