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

Shadow industry minister visits Tarmac’s Tunstead Quarry 

March 31, 2023
Bill Esterson MP, shadow industry minister, has visited Tarmac’s flagship Tunstead site near Buxton, Derbyshire, to tour the combined quarrying, cement and lime manufacturing operation,...
Read More

Tarmac a step closer to world first CCS zero emissions lime plant 

March 30, 2023
Tarmac, in collaboration with Leilac, has moved a step closer to delivering the world’s first zero emissions lime plant, having passed the due diligence phase...
Read More

Tarmac’s donation sees Trent Vale Trail extended

March 27, 2023
Green Lane, in Girton, Nottinghamshire – which stretches 1,790 metres – has been redeveloped and added to the Trent Vale Trail, thanks to a £75,251...
Read More

Tarmac welcomes Welwyn 10k to Panshanger Park  

March 22, 2023
The 2023 Welwyn 10k run is proudly being hosted by the Tarmac-owned Panshanger Park, in partnership with organisers Garden City Runners (GCR). 
Read More

The peril of potholes: planning ahead for longer life roads

March 21, 2023
The perennial issue of potholes finds itself in the spotlight again following the results of the ALARM survey published by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA)...
Read More

Paving for a rainy day – By Brian Kent, national technical director at Tarmac 

March 20, 2023
As many of us Brits are aware, the weather in the UK is famously unpredictable and probably why we’re known for discussing the weather –...
Read More

‘Tyred’ community facility in Sopwell receives brand-new cycle track

March 17, 2023
A £25,000 boost from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund has seen Cottonmill Community & Cycling Centre, in Sopwell, St Albans, create a new cycle track...
Read More

Local U12s football team kitted out in new strip thanks to Tarmac donation

March 14, 2023
Tideswell United Football Club’s under 12s team are leagues above the rest in new kit, thanks to a £512.82 donation from Tarmac’s Tunstead Quarry.
Read More

International Women’s Day: embracing equity every day – By Louise Houston, head of inclusion and diversity

March 8, 2023
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) is all about embracing equity and there’s undoubtedly scope for the construction sector to improve its...
Read More

Panshanger Park ‘Queen’s Wood’ complete thanks to community effort 

March 1, 2023
The creation of a new public woodland commemorating the life of Her Majesty has been officially completed, thanks to volunteers from local schools, residents, businesses...
Read More

Rail capability statistics


£2m saved in sourcing switches enabled by rail

Image

4% more tonnage on each train (vs 2018)

Image

£670k delivered in cost saving initiatives

Image

50% reduction in freight operator train cancellations

Image

£750k of CI benefits delivered since 2016

Image

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. 

Learn More

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.