Proposals for the Oxfordshire Strategic Rail Freight Interchange have been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
Oxfordshire Railfreight Limited (ORL) is proposing a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) on land located adjacent to the Chiltern Main Line Railway line, south west of Junction 10 of the M40 motorway, and east of the former Upper Heyford Air Base.
An SRFI is a large multi-purpose freight interchange and distribution centre linked into both the rail and trunk road systems. It has rail-served warehousing and container handling facilities, and enables freight to be transferred between transport modes (i.e. from lorry to train and vice versa).
The vision for the draft proposals is to provide a new, high-quality rail freight interchange which supports a more sustainable economy, and creates an attractive working environment.
Responsible Development is a guiding principle for the proposals which includes a significant investment in new ‘green infrastructure’ and tree planting, with around 50 per cent of the main site proposed as landscaping or green uses, incorporating areas specifically designed to delivering biodiversity net gain.
The proposals respond to the recognised need to create a network of SRFIs throughout the country as part of the Government’s ambition for more freight to be moved by rail to help create a low carbon sustainable transport system. Government policy for SRFIs is set out in the National Networks National Policy Statement (referred to as the NPS).
Following the submission of the plans, the Planning Inspectorate now has a 28-day period to either accept the application for examination or request further information.
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