ABP CONNECT’S £1 MILLION INVESTMENT LAYS TRACKS TO SECURING NEW BUSINESS AT HAMS HALL
Work has commenced on a £1 million expansion programme at ABP Connect-run Hams Hall Railfreight Terminal (‘Hams Hall’). The 24-week project will see the construction of 11,800 sq m of additional container-storage space, boosting storage capacity by 750 TEUs* to 2,550 TEUs, and the acquisition of a fifth reachstacker. A further £200,000 is also being invested in the construction of a new office block to improve the coordination and efficiency of the terminal’s workforce.
ABP Connect has undertaken the expansion programme to boost Hams Hall’s operating capacity to cope with increasing demand. In 2003, the terminal’s throughput was 42,000 containers. But with increased traffic from existing customers and capacity increasing over the next two months on two of Freightliners’ current services, it is estimated that over 68,000 containers will be handled at the terminal during 2004. Hams Hall’s proximity to the M6 Toll Road and its fast turnaround times have proved to be extremely popular with hauliers, and have been important contributing factors in attracting new business. The provision of a range of value-added services, such as road haulage to end-users, and container-storage facilities have also contributed favourably to Hams Hall’s performance.
This is the latest expansion project to be undertaken by ABP Connect at Hams Hall.Backed by a Strategic Rail Authority grant, operational capacity at the terminal was doubled in July 2003 following the construction of 550 m of rail siding, improved railcar-access facilities and 6,500 sq m of block-paving for container-storage space.
ABP Connect’s expertise in handling railfreight has also been recognised at the prestigious National Rail Awards, where ABP Connect scooped the ‘Freight Achievement of the Year’ award. Judges presented the award to ABP Connect for its major contribution to developing railfreight business in the UK through its operations at Hams Hall Railfreight Terminal.
Stephen Burgess, Managing Director of ABP Connect, welcomed the latest development:
“Hams Hall Railfreight Terminal has gone from strength to strength in the two years since ABP Connect assumed operational and managerial control. The terminal now receives 10 rail services daily and throughput has significantly increased year-on-year. We are, therefore, undertaking this new expansion programme to accommodate the projected growth in throughput over the coming months and years, and to ensure that we maintain a high level of customer service.”
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