First freight train carrying spoil from the Crossrail project on the new industrial railway track between Ebbsfleet and Northfleet. Picture: Steve Carter

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

The UK’s newest freight railway has opened in North Kent, part of a complex riverside project that could eventually create 1,600 jobs and 600 new homes.

The £13.5m Northfleet rail freight link, opened yesterday by Thames Gateway minister Bob Neill, revives a line that once served the centuries-old but now disused cement works.

Site owner Lafarge has funded the project ahead of a probable development of industrial workspace and housing.

The 2.25km railway links the 104-acre site to the main North Kent line.

Its first purpose is to bring spoil from tunnels bored for the Crossrail project in London. It will later serve a new £3m aggregates terminal planned by Lafarge.

Millions of tonnes of Crossrail material will be offloaded from train to ship and taken down the Thames to Wallasea (corr) Island in Essex for the creation of one of Europe's largest wetland bird reserves. The project will take an estimated 50,000 trucks off the roads.

Mr Neill unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.

He said the Government was committed to the Thames Gateway which was “very much open for business.”

He told KentOnline: “This is something that will not only gives jobs but also open up the site to longer-term development. This is a good place to invest.”

David Simms of Lafarge has been involved in the project for 20 years.

He told guests, including the Mayor of Gravesham Cllr Lyn Milner: “When the rail connection was severed in 1993, I was busy planning to put it back.

"The reinstated rail link is delivering real benefits to the local and national economy and the environment."

He added: "It also offers a myriad of benefits for the future as part of a longer-term evolution and regeneration of this major site in Kent Thameside.

"We’re looking at about 600 houses and 1,600 jobs in the medium to long term.” Cllr Milner said it was very good for Gravesham.

The railway was built by Balfour Beatty and the trains are operated by
GB Railfreight.

The Class 66 locomotive that hauled a special passenger train from London Victoria for the VIP ceremony was officially named “Crossrail” by Mr Neill.