DB Cargo UK is boasting that it has created the country’s first ‘net zero’ rail freight terminal at Cricklewood in North London.

The rail terminal, which opened in 2020, is used as a base for transporting aggregates and waste construction material in and out of London.

Moving this material by rail rather than road significantly reduces traffic congestion in the capital.

Each of DB’s freight trains carries the equivalent of up to 129 HGVs and emits 76% less carbon dioxide. DB Cargo has highlighted the benefits of moving freight by rail rather than road with its ‘Freight Belongs on Rail’ campaign.

The company has taken several other measures to significantly cut the ‘carbon footprint’ of the depot, including:

• Building one of Europe’s largest green acoustic barriers, which minimises the impact of dust and noise on local residents. The barrier faces south and is eighteen metres high. It is planted with about 3,520m2 of native green foliage, which attracts birds, insects and other wildlife.
• Planting nine species of native trees and rewilding unused land.
• Recycling and reusing water used on site.
• Hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO) instead of white diesel is used to fuel on-site machinery.
• Using more modern and fuel-efficient machinery.
• Installing a drive-through wheel wash to reduce water consumption.
• Installing electric vehicle charging points.
  

“For years now we have talked about the environmental benefits of transporting freight by rail rather than road, however we can make an even bigger contribution towards helping the UK meet its carbon reduction targets by the way we operate our sites.

“At Cricklewood we’ve tried to incorporate as much mitigation as we possibly can into our operations which not only has an environmental benefit, but a significant social value too in terms of improving the quality of life for those residents who live nearby.”

“Throughout the development of Cricklewood we have consulted closely with the council’s planning department, residents and their elected representatives, to not only minimise the risk of any disturbance caused by our operations but to enhance the area too, added Stacie.”

Stacie Scullion, Sustainability Manager, DB Cargo UK