A strategic rail freight interchange, or SRFI, is one of several freight terminals in Great Britain where containers can be swapped between nodes of transport, but always involving the use of railway infrastructure. Various governments from across the political spectrum in Britain have supported, or do support, the transfer of freight from road to rail where possible. The SRFIs are intended to run bulk intermodal trains to a point as close as possible to the containers' final destination. SRFIs come under the guidance for a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.
Definition
The Department for Transport 2009 definition of an SRFI was "A Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) is a large multi-purpose rail freight interchange containing rail-connected warehousing and container handling facilities. The site may also contain manufacturing and processing activities." Network Rail further clarified that the difference between a Rail Freight Interchange (RFI) and an SRFI, was that an RFI was usually a standalone intermodal terminal (such as Stourton Freightliner Terminal in Leeds), and that an SRFI would be "...[a] Distribution park in excess of with integrated intermodal terminal facilities." An SRFI should also be able to handle at least four incoming trains per day (and have the ability to increase on that number), with train lengths up to , and the appropriate layout to accommodate the length of the trains with minimal shunting necessary. The rail network itself should be capable of handling intermodal trains up to and the government in 2009, stated that Freight Facilities Grants should be available to enhance infrastructure to accommodate these longer trains. The site should also be connected to the trunk road system.
The policy around SRFIs from the UK government is that the interchanges should be part of a network that provides cost-effective logistics. Many of the existing or proposed SRFIs are in the East and West Midlands, with some being in and around Rugby in Warwickshire and the surrounding area which is known to the logistics industry as the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle (or The Golden Logistics Triangle) was first used to describe warehousing in the Midlands area in the 1980s. The area has been determined by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) to cover and area of , and be within four-hours driving distance of 90% of the British population. The intermodal points within the Golden Triangle are geographically distant enough from the ports on the coast of Britain to be financially advantageous for rail transport. The planning and policy for SRFIs is covered by a specific guidance for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).
Operating terminals The entries in the table below are operating or have planning permission and are under construction. +NameLocationMapCoordinatesDetailsOperatorRailway connectionRoad connectionRefBirch CoppiceDordonAThe Birch Coppice branch re-opened in 2002 to handle car parts, with intermodal trains following soon after.Maritime TransportBirmingham to Nottingham lineA5/M42DIRFT IDaventryBOpened in 2007Malcolm GroupWest Coast Main Line (Northampton loop)M1 DIRFT IIDaventryBOpened in 2005Sainsbury's/TescoWest Coast Main Line (Northampton loop)M1DIRFT IIIDaventryBPrologisWest Coast Main Line (Northampton loop)M1Doncaster iPortDoncasterCOpened in 2018 and covers MedlogSouth Yorkshire Joint Railway (to East Coast Main Line)M18East Midlands GatewayCastle DoningtonDOpened in March 2020, located close to East Midlands AirportSEGROCastle Donington lineM1Hams HallLea MarstonEHams Hall was opened in 1997 on the site of an old power station.Maritime TransportBirmingham–Peterborough lineM42/M6Mossend EurocentralEast GlasgowFOpened in 1994, the site has access to the A8, M8, and is 10 minutes from the M74 and M73DB CargoWest Coast Main LineM8Mossend InternationalEast GlasgowGPD StirlingWest Coast Main LineM8Northampton GatewayNorthamptonHOpened in summer 2025Maritime TransportWest Coast Main Line (Northampton loop)M1Wakefield EuroportNormantonJJanuary 1996Maritime TransportHallam LineM62
In progress terminals +NameLocationMapCoordinatesDetailsOperatorRailway connectionRoad connectionRefRadlettRadlett, HertfordshireIUnder constructionSEGROMidland Main LineM25West Midlands InterchangeFour AshesKThe development will cover over and has been described as a "nationally significant project".Maritime TransportRugby–Birmingham–Stafford lineM6
Proposed terminals The entries in the table below are proposed, and are either awaiting planning permission, or are subject to inquiries. +NameLocationMapCoordinatesDetailsSizeOperatorRailway connectionRoad connectionRefEast Midlands Intermodal ParkWillingtonLGoodmanCrewe–Derby lineA38/A50Gascoigne InterchangeSherburn-in-ElmetMBuilt on the former coal disposal point at Gascoigne WoodHarworthLeeds to Hull lineA63/A1(M)Oxfordshire Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (OXSRFI)ArdleyNApplication is expected to be submitted in November 2025Oxfordshire Railfreight LimitedCherwell Valley LineM40Parkside EastNewton-le-WillowsOTo be built on land opposite the former Parkside CollieryIntermodal Logistics Park NorthWest Coast Main Line, Chat Moss LineM6 and M62Port SalfordSalfordPProposed as the first trimodal SRFI in the UK, with direct trans-shipment between road, rail, and ship.Peel PortsWest Coast Main Line, Chat Moss LineM60
See also Intermodal railfreight in Great Britain
References
Sources