Planning permission for a major freight hub in Leicestershire catering for 775m trains has been refused by the transport secretary.

Tritax Symmetry was proposing to build the £750 million Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange on a 268-hectare site near junction 2 of the M69 and the Leicester–Nuneaton line, which would provide a rail freight link with Felixstowe. The developer said the interchange would create 8,000 jobs.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said the expected benefits of the scheme were outweighed by potential negative factors, although she did accept that there was a ‘compelling need’ for the development. But she was concerned about the effect of 775m trains using the level crossing at Narborough, and also that nearby motorway junctions would not be able to cope with the additional lorries, along with a ‘potential highways safety risk’ in Sapcote.

The scheme had been opposed locally. Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport Ozzy O’Shea said: ‘This is a landmark day. Whilst we are not against the principle of a rail freight interchange, any proposal must be supported by appropriate infrastructure to mitigate its impacts on our communities and highway and transport network. Unfortunately, this was not the case with this proposal.’

Tritax, which is ‘disappointed’ by the transport secretary’s decision, said: ‘We are seeking legal advice on the next steps available to us and will review our position when that advice is received.

‘We remain committed to delivering critical supply chain infrastructure that is key to the UK economy, with rail freight connectivity a key driver of the modal shift in the sector.’

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