Peak District rail connection

Thanks to the development of a new internal rail siding, our Hillhead Quarry in Derbyshire, which operates on the High Peak Junction line, has been connected to the rail network. This helps us to meet the current demand of the construction sector and other nationally important major infrastructure projects.

The sidings give us the capability to haul large quantities of bulk aggregates each day, with rail transport also reducing our carbon emissions. The first train departed from Hillhead Quarry in July 2023, and the rail link has the capacity to increase to at least five trains per week over time. Since the rail siding was implemented Hillhead 118 trains were dispatched in 2023, moving over 160,000 tonnes of material.

Chris Swan, head of rail at Tarmac, said: “We’re proud to be working alongside different sectors of the rail industry, including HS2, Balfour Beatty VINCI, Network Rail and GB Railfreight, to develop such important infrastructure which will support economic growth.”

Andrew Graham, Conventional Rail Interface Manager at HS2 Ltd, said: “It’s great to see the opening of this new rail link in response to demand from the UK construction industry. At HS2, we’re working with our joint venture companies, Network Rail, freight operators, and aggregate suppliers to make deliveries to our sites by rail where possible. In addition to cutting carbon emissions, this is also creating opportunities for companies like Tarmac to support local jobs and skills.”

Rory Kingdon, senior sponsor at Network Rail, said: “It’s great to see the new rail link in action, after many months of work to reconnect Hillhead Quarry back onto the mainline railway so its aggregates can be transported long distances in an environmentally friendly way. This is why we’re delighted Tarmac is expanding its rail freight operations in the Peak District which will support the country’s economic recovery and fight against climate change.”

Liam Day, commercial director for GB Railfreight, said: “It is fantastic to see our trains operating out of Hillhead Quarry. Every train we operate out of Hillhead Quarry will replace an average of 75 lorries – reducing congestion on the roads and lowering the carbon emissions of Europe’s largest infrastructure project.”

Matthew Munn, head of supply chain management at Balfour Beatty VINCI, added: “Tarmac’s opening of the new rail link is great news for the area, and further proof that this project is having a positive impact on the wider region’s economy. As HS2’s construction partner in the Midlands, we’re proud to be playing a key role in creating new opportunities for communities along our stretch of the route.”

With more than 60 rail-connected sites nationwide, Tarmac is one of the country’s biggest users of the rail freight network, transporting significant quantities of materials across the UK every year.