Intermodal Logistics Park (ILP) North Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI)

An extract from correspondence received from the Head of the Manchester Office, for and on behalf of Tritax Big Box Developments Ltd, a Tritax Big Box REIT plc associated company is shown below in italics.  Links to Copies of the Tritax Big Box ILP North newsletter, Tritax Big Box ILP North brochure are also 

Intermodal Logistics Park North (ILP North): Consultation 27 January to 21 March 2025

‘As you may be aware, Tritax Big Box is progressing with plans for ILP North, a new Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) near Newton-le-Willows. 

About Tritax Big Box

Tritax Big Box Developments (TBBD) is a Tritax Big Box REIT associated company dedicated to logistics development. TBBD specialises in identifying and securing strategic land, and developing large-scale, best-in class logistics facilities that meet the evolving needs of modern businesses.

Tritax Big Box is the developer behind the ILP North project. Tritax Big Box has a proven track record in developing strategic logistics infrastructure, with an experienced development team that has been involved in dynamic, speculative and occupier-led development schemes across the United Kingdom. The project represents a multi-million-pound investment that would create thousands of jobs for local people. These jobs will include apprenticeships and training opportunities, driving growth and investment in skills for the region.

Project Overview

ILP North will provide an intermodal rail terminal, logistics accommodation and warehousing. The project will enhance local, regional, and national transport links and facilitate the North West’s access to global markets.

Strategically located between Liverpool and Manchester, the site benefits from excellent road and rail access, located to the east of the M6 Junction 22 and near to the M6/M62 interchange at Junction 21a. It is adjacent to the UK’s West Coast Main Line (north-south) and Liverpool-Manchester Transpennine (east-west) rail infrastructure. Both of these rail lines form core routes within the UK’s Strategic (Rail) Freight Network and provide access to the UK’s coastal ports and inter regional markets.

The project will deliver an SRFI of local, regional and national importance:

• Locally: SRFIs play a critical role in enhancing transportation efficiency and connectivity. Typically, they allow the use of rail for longer-haul journeys and roads to handle the local and final delivery legs of the freight journey.
• Regionally: SRFIs act as hubs for freight distribution connecting different regions of the United Kingdom.
• Nationally: SRFIs link regions of the United Kingdom with global markets via coastal ports and the Channel Tunnel

The project will be classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. This means that to gain consent for the proposals, we will be preparing to submit a Development Consent Order (DCO) application to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS), with the final decision on the proposals being made by the Secretary of State for Transport.

You can sign up for updates from PINS on their website: www.national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/TR0510001/get-updates/start.

Next steps

The informal non-statutory consultation will run for eight weeks from Monday 27 January to Friday 21 March 2025.

As part of our consultation, we have launched a dedicated project website (https://www.tritaxbigbox.co.uk/our-spaces/intermodal-logistics-park-north/). Please visit this website to find out more about our proposals and provide your feedback.

Proposals for ILP North are at an early design stage. As such, this is a perfect opportunity for us to gain an early steer from local people and interested organisations and help shape the design.

We will also be hosting four in-person events to allow the community to view the project plans and speak to members of the project team. These events will be held at:

• Crownway Community Centre on Monday 10 February 2025 from 2pm to 7pm
• Golborne Parkside Sports & Community Club on Thursday 13 February 2025 from 2pm to 7pm
• Winwick Leisure Centre on Friday 28 February 2025 from 2pm to 7pm
• Newchurch Parish Hall on Saturday 1 March 2025 from 10am to 2pm

In addition to these in-person events, we will be hosting an online public webinar for those who are unable to attend in person. The webinar will take place on Wednesday 5 March 2025, from 6.30pm to 8pm. Interested participants can sign up for the event on our website.

Further information regarding our project can be found in the enclosed newsletter and brochure accompanying this correspondence. We appreciate your engagement and look forward to hearing your insights and suggestions which will be used to help us develop our proposals further, before presenting you with more detailed proposals in a subsequent round of consultation later this year.’