CONSULTATION HAS begun on revised proposals for a railway sleeper manufacturing facility at Bescot sidings freight yard.
Network Rail is inviting views on the modified proposals, an amended version of those first announced in early 2018. The factory is being brought forward following the closure of a similar facility at Washwood Heath, whose site is making way for the new HS2 rolling stock depot. If approved, the new facility would produce up to 600,000 sleepers a year, accounting for 60% of Britain’s supply. One hundred jobs would be secured for local people at the facility.
The modifications respond to concern about the impact increased traffic could have on the local area, with NR planning to build a new link road to enable site traffic to avoid using residential roads. A revised traffic management plan has also been developed for access to the site. The facility has been moved around 600 metres from its original location to ensure it is at least 250 metres away from any residential property.
NR is inviting feedback by 15 April prior to the submission of a final planning application to Sandwell Council.
