If approved, the new facility is expected to produce up to 600,000 concrete sleepers a year, accounting for 60% of Britain’s supply of a million sleepers. Network Rail’s other factory in Doncaster will provide the remaining 40%.
The proposed site at Bescot will be directly connected to the rail network making it quicker and easier to transport the sleepers around Britain, Network Rail said.
Martin Frobisher, Network Rail’s London & North Western route managing director, said: “Bescot is ideally placed at the heart of the rail network to provide sleepers across Britain. We are in discussion with the local council to carry out an environmental assessment of the proposed factory and its impact on the surrounding area before we fully consult with local people and stakeholders on our plans.”
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