Rail Transport
With more than 60 rail-connected sites nationwide we are one of the country’s biggest users of the rail freight network, transporting around nine million tonnes of materials across the UK every year.
National Network
With an unrivalled national network and an ongoing commitment to develop and enhance our rail freight capabilities we are able to move materials to where they are need in a highly efficient way, resulting in fewer lorries on the roads, improved air quality and reduced carbon emissions – all contributing to a lower carbon built environment.
Investment
As a strong advocate for the use of rail freight in supporting the delivery of our national infrastructure ambitions [link to Promoting rail freight page] we continually invest in new terminals and handling facilities, as well as the latest equipment both on the rails and at our sites to ensure our operations are as efficient as possible. For a recent example take a look at this story on award-winning work at our Battersea readymix plant [insert link].
Complete logistics
Sustainable options and solutions don’t stop at the rail terminal. Our rail operations are part of a balanced logistics portfolio, delivering materials in bulk to strategic urban locations for onward ‘last mile’ delivery by road – read more about our road transport operations.
Our latest news
Tarmac supports Sellafield in safely managing the UK’s nuclear legacy
Tarmac announced as LCRIG Sustainability Partner for 2025
Tarmac strengthens commitment to whole life carbon management with PAS 2080 Certification
Filling the gaps in pothole repairs
Tarmac and National Highways deliver groundbreaking carbon savings in strategic road network resurfacing trial
Introducing circular construction at Tarmac
Unlocking the hidden value of land restoration
30 years of heathland restoration at Rammamere Heath
Tarmac awarded platinum status in The 5% Club
Tarmac hosts Royal Engineers at Silvertown Concrete Plant
Rail capability statistics
£2m saved in sourcing switches enabled by rail
4% more tonnage on each train (vs 2018)
£670k delivered in cost saving initiatives
50% reduction in freight operator train cancellations
£750k of CI benefits delivered since 2016
Promoting Rail Freight
The rail freight movement of cement, aggregates and other construction materials is a national sustainability success story, having a vital part in the supply chain of the construction industry and helping to deliver a lower carbon built environment.
Tarmac plays a lead role in advocating and promoting the use of rail freight in the construction industry as well as advancing innovation and collaborative working.
This includes being an active member of the Rail Freight Group and the Mineral Product Industry’s Rail Group. As part of this we share a collective commitment to:
Increase the average payload per train
Support the development of the rail network and terminals
Promote rail freight as the preferred solution for supplying major infrastructure schemes
Improve the safety and environmental performance of our rail operations
Be a responsible user of the network, achieving continuous improvement commitment to innovation and driving efficiencies
Find out more about these commitments and the opportunity for rail freight to support UK infrastructure ambitions.
We're also passionate about showcasing our rail operations and industry as widely as possible. Most recently we took a staring turn in educational film with leading online children’s educational video platform, Toddler Fun Learning.
Our business isn't simply about construction materials, it's about the people.
Sustainable construction, our job is to protect valuable resources for the future.
