Enabling rail freight growth through the delivery of rail freight terminals
CPCS developed a practical guide to unlocking the potential of rail freight terminals for Transport for the North (TfN), setting out how local and combined authorities can help bring forward new and expanded terminals alongside the private sector.
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Sector: Transport Client: Transport for the North (TfN) Client type: Regional transport authority Location: United Kingdom |
Challenge
How can Great Britain achieve its ambitious target to grow rail freight by at least 75% by 2050?
Rail freight terminals will need to be treated as essential infrastructure to move away from a road-based supply chain. This will need strong collaboration between regional and local government, the rail industry, and the freight and logistics sector.
Terminals are usually market-led and privately promoted, but local authorities hold key levers in safeguarding land in local plans and supporting with planning and funding. However, few authorities have specialist rail freight expertise and responsibility is often split across transport, planning and economic development teams.
Working with TfN and selected constituent authorities, CPCS developed:
- A strategic case for change, setting out why the North needs more rail freight terminals, the different types of terminals needed, and the opportunities and challenges in delivering them.
- Northern case studies showcasing what works well and lessons learnt, from iPort Doncaster SRFI to smaller aggregates terminals at Horton in Ribblesdale and Leyland.
- Practical guidance for officers across the four-stage terminal lifecycle (pre-development, development, delivery and operation), with actions and outputs at each stage. Tools include a terminal site register to identify and support safeguarding in Local Plans, and checklists to support with business case development, funding and planning.
Guidance for long-term rail freight growth
The guide includes practical tools and real-world examples to help authorities understand what they can influence, when, and how, alongside private sector promoters.
With coordinated action, the North of England can build a pipeline of intermodal terminals and increase the opportunity for more rail freight services to achieve its goals of economic growth, supply chain resiliency, and decarbonisation.
TfN published the strategic summary on its Insights and Intelligence Hub in July 2026.
Contact info@transportforthenorth.com for a digital copy of the full practical guide.
