TWO years after his last visit to the site, life peer and chairman of the Rail Freight Group Lord Tony Berkeley recently returned to Lafarge Cement’s Hope Works to see the company’s £20 million rail project completed and fully up and running.
Lord Berkeley last came to the Works, which produces up to 1.3 million tonnes of cement each year, in July 2007 when work was just starting on the company’s major project to increase the rail infrastructure at the site.
The new rail layout is now in daily use for transporting raw materials into the site and taking cement out. As a result, the company is reducing lorry loads on local highways by up to 6,800 each year.
During his latest tour of the site, Lord Berkeley, described the completed rail freight facility as a model of how an efficient rail-freight terminal should be designed and operated.
He was hosted during his visit by Lafarge Cement UK’s land and planning director, David Simms, who was one of the main drivers for the realization of the rail project, and works manager Ashley Bryan.
‘The rail scheme is now well and truly established as a day-to-day part of our operation and is providing many benefits to customers, employees and neighbours,’ said Mr Bryan. ‘Although it is now a part of our routine at the works, it’s good to be reminded of what an innovative and forward-thinking project this was.
‘This visit was very motivating for the team here and Lord Berkeley was extremely complimentary about our achievements.’
Lord Berkeley last came to the Works, which produces up to 1.3 million tonnes of cement each year, in July 2007 when work was just starting on the company’s major project to increase the rail infrastructure at the site.
The new rail layout is now in daily use for transporting raw materials into the site and taking cement out. As a result, the company is reducing lorry loads on local highways by up to 6,800 each year.
During his latest tour of the site, Lord Berkeley, described the completed rail freight facility as a model of how an efficient rail-freight terminal should be designed and operated.
He was hosted during his visit by Lafarge Cement UK’s land and planning director, David Simms, who was one of the main drivers for the realization of the rail project, and works manager Ashley Bryan.
‘The rail scheme is now well and truly established as a day-to-day part of our operation and is providing many benefits to customers, employees and neighbours,’ said Mr Bryan. ‘Although it is now a part of our routine at the works, it’s good to be reminded of what an innovative and forward-thinking project this was.
‘This visit was very motivating for the team here and Lord Berkeley was extremely complimentary about our achievements.’
