Cricklewood becomes UK’s first net-zero rail freight terminal
DB Cargo UK looking to set new standards of sustainability with carbon-neutral rail freight operation
DB Cargo UK have created what they believe to be the UK’s first net-zero rail freight terminal. Situated in Cricklewood, North London, the busy rail terminal is used to transport aggregates and waste construction materials in and out of the capital, significantly reducing congestion on London’s already crowded road network.
While each of DB’s trains already carries the equivalent of up to 129 HGVs and emits 76% less carbon dioxide emissions, the company says it is the incorporation of a wide range of other environmental features and initiatives that has slashed the Cricklewood site’s carbon footprint, including:
Construction of one of Europe’s largest green acoustic barriers to minimize the impact of noise and dust on nearby homes. The south facing, 18m high barrier is planted with approximately 3,520m2 of native green foliage. The wall, which has become a haven for birdlife (a flock of bright green ring-necked parakeets are regular visitors to the barrier), insects, and other wildlife, is installed with its own irrigation system and provides a natural carbon sink for the site.
Nine species of native trees have also been planted and unused areas of land have been rewilded, with the site providing an urban habitat for wildlife and a home to wild bees.
Water used on site is recycled and reused through a surface water capture system.
The site procures 100% REGO-verified renewable energy.
Switching from the use of white diesel to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to fuel DB’s on-site machinery and plant has reduced the site’s Scope 1 emissions by 98 tonnes of CO2e per year. The three plant machines consumed almost 55,000 litres of white diesel in 2024. The HVO biofuel emits 98% less CO2e per litre than mineral diesel.
Investing in new, more modern and fuel-efficient machinery, with a new Volvo L180H wheel loader recently delivered and a new Liebherr LH40C loading machine on order. The new Volvo wheel loader can do the work of the two ageing loading shovels used previously. This will reduce DB’s plant machinery fuel consumption to approximately 41,000 litres.
Installation of a new, drive-through wheel wash which has reduced water consumption through more efficient filtering and re-use of water. The new system is also more energy efficient and provides improved filtration, reducing the use of chemicals.
Installation of new electric vehicle charging points for all staff and visitors.
In 2024, DB avoided 40 tonnes of embedded carbon through a circular economy reuse project, whereby modular office facilities were relocated from their site at Barking.
DB Cargo UK’s sustainability manager, Stacie Scullion, said the company was now in the process of having the site’s environmental performance officially accredited as carbon neutral on the basis that it will set a new standard for the sector.
‘For years 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,’ she said.
‘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 also 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 minimize the risk of any disturbance caused by our operations, but also to enhance the area too.
‘Cricklewood is now the jewel in our crown and will form the blueprint for the future development of our terminals across England, Scotland, and Wales.’
