BLACKFORD CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY

BUILDING WORK has commenced for a new terminal for Highland Spring Group at Blackford, near Gleneagles in Scotland, following approval for the company’s planning application for minor amendments to the previously consented scheme for a rail freight facility to handle bottled water. As a result of the amendments, a new western access means the level crossing will no longer need to close when trains arrive at and depart from the site.

Network Rail has already undertaken significant works to make the site ready and now Luddon Construction has begun work on building the terminal. Two daily train paths on Monday to Friday and a weekly Saturday train path have been secured.

The terminal is expected to remove 8,000 truck movements from the road each year, saving 3,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide. It is planned that an electric rubber-tyre Acrane will lift and position containers on the train. Highland Spring is exploring opportunities to bring raw materials to site by rail in order further to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.

The new facility will be operated by J. G. Russell and it is expected to enter service early in 2021.