Sizewell C hits major milestone as first commercial freight train arrives on site

• New Green Rail Route links construction site to upgraded Sizewell branch line
• Each freight train removes the equivalent of around 50 HGV journeys from local roads
• Rail line part of project’s commitment to transport 60% of materials by sea or rail

Sizewell C has reached a major construction milestone with the arrival of the first commercial freight train via its new Green Rail Route (GRR).

The train rolled into the project’s Temporary Construction Area (TCA) in the early hours of Tuesday morning, carrying materials needed to help build the new nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast.

Connecting the upgraded Sizewell branch line directly to the TCA, the new rail link marks a step change in how materials are delivered to site. By transporting large volumes of construction materials overnight and bypassing Leiston entirely, each freight train prevents the equivalent of around 50 HGVs from having to travel on local roads.

Damian Leydon, Site Delivery Director of Sizewell C, said: “The arrival of our first commercial freight train is a major milestone for Sizewell C and a significant step forward in how we build the project. The Green Rail Route is the result of years of planning, engineering, and collaboration with key partners.

“By delivering 60% of our materials by rail and sea, we’re significantly reducing the burden on local roads and local communities here in Suffolk. We want to deliver this project differently, minimising impacts and maximising the benefits for local communities – our rail plans are a big part of how we can achieve that.”

For the next few weeks, trains will make a brief stop at Saxmundham before continuing to site. Following Network Rail’s upgrades to the East Suffolk Line later this year, trains will be able to continue directly to Sizewell C without stopping, helping to further reduce disruption for nearby residents.

Enyi Oji, Senior sponsor for Network Rail said: We’re really proud to have worked with Sizewell and across the rail industry to achieve this exciting milestone of the first construction train to use the new Green Rail Route. This is a testament to the commitment and collaboration of all involved.”

Delivered with the support of Suffolk County Council, East Suffolk Council and Network Rail, the Green Rail Route forms a key part of Sizewell C’s commitment to transport at least 60% of construction materials by sea or rail.

Between now and Christmas alone, around 100,000 tonnes of material will be delivered to the project by rail, removing the equivalent of approximately 5,000 HGV journeys from local roads.

Cllr Tom Daly, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Energy and Climate Change said: “These essential mitigations have been made possible thanks to the constructive, collaborative approach between Sizewell C and East Suffolk Council. Bringing in materials by rail will significantly reduce the number of lorries on the roads, and their associated carbon footprint.”

The number of trains using the GRR will increase in phases, with up to four freight trains a day running at peak capacity. Initially, two overnight services will deliver construction aggregates to site.

Much of the rail construction works were carried out by Balfour Beatty.

Tom Emanuel, Project Lead for the Sizewell C Rail Scheme at Balfour Beatty, said: “The arrival of the first commercial materials train into the TCA Railhead via the Green Rail Route is a landmark moment for the Sizewell C project and a proud achievement for everyone involved in its delivery.

“Building a brand new railway is a rare undertaking in the UK, and this milestone reflects years of planning, engineering and delivery excellence.”

The GRR builds on the successful completion and commissioning of a new railhead at Sizewell C’s Ancillary Construction Area (ACA) earlier this year, both of which connect to the upgraded Sizewell branch line.

The wider rail improvement programme includes renewing 4.5 miles of track, replacing jointed rail with continuously welded rail to reduce noise, upgrading level crossings and installing a new signalling system. Sizewell C is also supporting improvements to sections of the East Suffolk Line between Ipswich and Lowestoft.

Historically, the Sizewell branch line has seen very little traffic, with no daily passenger services since 1966.

Once construction is complete, both the Green Rail Route and the line serving the ACA will be returned to their original condition.

Green Rail Route facts:

• The Green Rail Route stretches 2.8km (1.7 miles) from the Sizewell branch line to the Temporary Construction Area
• The first freight train was around 270 metres long and comprised box wagons hauled by a Class 66 locomotive
• The locomotive transported more than 1,000 tonnes of construction materials
• Materials arrived from Tunstead Quarry near Buxton, Derbyshire
• A single train removes the equivalent of around 50 HGV journeys from local roads

Photos of the train arriving on site can be downloaded here