GHD supports the delivery of rail freight terminal in Northampton

05 August 2025 — The Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton, approved by the Secretary of State in 2019, is a project of national significance aimed at improving freight transport efficiency and supporting sustainable growth in the region. 

Scheduled for completion this year, the scheme features a 35-acre rail freight terminal designed to accommodate trains up to 775 metres in length, along with extensive distribution facilities, new road links, and wide-ranging environmental enhancements, including landscaping design, biodiversity measures, and major features such as the A508 bypass of Roade village, new cycleways and footways, and the delivery of more than 80 acres of parkland and amenity grassland, complemented by the planting of 60,000 trees and 30,000 shrubs. 

"We’re excited to see real momentum building at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton, marked by the completion of the rail freight terminal infrastructure, the arrival of the first train and the completion of Yusen Logistics’ new facility – the first warehouse to be constructed on the park.

Each freight train can remove up to 76 HGVs from the road with a consequential reduction in carbon emissions, making this a crucial step towards more sustainable logistics. With rail freight contributing £1.7 billion to the economy, this milestone is not only a shot in the arm for growth, it also supports a greener, more efficient supply chain." – Kate Bedson, Senior Director, National Markets at SEGRO.

Technical input from GHD helped shape key elements of the development, including feasibility, planning, design development, and construction support of the rail facilities, working initially with SEGRO and, subsequently, with Winvic Construction Ltd (via novation) on the following:  

• Feasibility assessment of main-line rail-connection options and operational principles to support Network Rail approvals 
• Technical advice during the development consent order process, including acting as a technical adviser during the inquiry 
• Outline design development for rail assets, covering permanent way alignment, lineside civils, power supplies, switch heating, signalling, and telecoms (via subcontracts) 
• Risk assessments and initial operational planning, including timetable modelling using RailSys 
• Development of the client requirements for Network Rail’s asset protection and terminal integration scope 
• Detailed design input, construction-phase inspections and integration support through to testing and commissioning of rail infrastructure and terminal signalling 
• Safety assurance services to manage interface hazards under Common Safety Method regulations and support authorisation processes with the Office of Rail and Road 
  
  GHD has also provided advice on Network Rail interfaces, operational readiness, and the transition of new assets into service, helping coordinate complex activities across multiple parties. 
  
  “I am delighted to see the rail terminal at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton enter revenue-earning service. Connecting the rail freight terminal to the West Coast Main Line has had its challenges, technically and culturally, but it has been a great experience supporting SEGRO throughout the project lifecycle to overcome these in a constructive team effort.” — Huw Kane, Project Director, GHD. 

About GHD

GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy, and communities sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD’s network of 12,000+ professionals is connected across 160 offices located on five continents.