Media centre

Tuesday 12 May 2020

Network Rail supports London’s vital supermarket supplies with new freight route from Spain to Barking

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Network Rail is working hard to keep supermarkets supplied with food by working with suppliers on two new food routes from Valencia and Murcia into Barking in London.

DB Cargo UK and Transfesa Logistics have successfully launched a new express 72-hour rail service to transport essential hygiene, medical and food products from terminals in Valencia and Murcia to London.

This type of traffic is carried in refrigerated containers and expands the activity that Transfesa Logistics had so far operated on a national and international scale. The objective is to develop these railway operations with a daily train to keep supermarkets shelves stocked.

The new services operate into DB Cargo UK’s Barking Intermodal Terminal in London which is strategically connected to the High Speed 1 (HS1) rail link. Thousands of tonnes of goods will be transported by freight to support the economy and keep supermarkets stocked up with vital supplies.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said:  “Our role is critical in keeping Britain running, and even more so in the challenging times we’re experiencing now. Our teams are working hard to keep lines open for key workers as well as enabling freight services to run to keep shelves stocked and deliver vital medical supplies and equipment.

“The railway’s ‘key workers’ are the hidden heroes in this national effort to support the country through this challenging time.”

Roger Neary, Head of Sales at DB Cargo UK, said: “Despite the ongoing restrictions, we continue to provide our customers with new, reliable and sustainable rail solutions on both a national and international level.

“We are delighted to be working with our DB Cargo group partners at Transfesa Logistics to deliver this essential rail freight service across the continent in these challenging times. Rail freight has a vital role to play in the sustainable transportation of international goods and it’s currently more important than ever that we ensure these supplies reach the UK.”

As the coronavirus pandemic goes on, Network Rail’s priority is to keep vital supply routes, including the lines which service the major ports, open.