Rail bill to hit aggregate supplies

Contractors will face massive problems obtaining aggregates in the South East if the new Crossrail Bill goes through unchallenged, suppliers and freight operators have warned.

CJ understands that Crossrail operators will get priority over other operators on the line if the scheme goes ahead, with compulsory purchase orders issued for aggregates suppliers’ rail depots. This would affect all the major aggregates operators in the South East, such as Tarmac, Hanson, Foster Yeoman, Lafarge, Aggregate Industries and Cemex.

Quarry Products Association director of economics and business affairs Jerry McLaughlin said the association is concerned that materials suppliers will find themselves barged out by Crossrail services. "It’s an issue that’s been bubbling away – Crossrail will override existing agreements," he told CJ.

Aggregates firms could be forced to switch their supply from rail back to road.

McLaughlin warned that this could spell an environmental disaster for the highly congested South East. "It is a real problem for aggregates suppliers and will shift aggregates onto the roads. We’re talking about several million tonnes a year of crushed rock," he said.

A reduction in the number of available depots for aggregates would also affect rail freight company EWS, which relies on the sector for a large part of its business.

EWS business manager for aggregates Gordon Cox said the Bill could see freight pushed off lines between Paddington and Maidenhead. "It could jeopardise our customers in west and east London," he added.

Companies are petitioning against aspects of the Bill, which is due to be read in the House of Commons within the next few weeks. It will then go to committee stage, probably for the rest of the year.

Cox said EWS is talking to "parliamentary agents" about the potential effects of the Bill.