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

#Tarmac120: Quick-fire interview with Andy Howdle, technical coordinator for Tarmac’s national contracting team

September 26, 2023
We caught up with Andy Howdle, technical coordinator in our national contracting team who has been a big part of our 120-year celebrations, to find...
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Tarmac in the community: Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund creates smoother and safer ride for all with new pump track in Derbyshire

September 26, 2023
A £16,000 grant from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund has seen Whaley Park Pump Track in Derbyshire receive a much-needed repair.
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From the first ‘sticky’ road and D-Day landings to low carbon asphalt: Tarmac celebrates 120 years as part of the fabric of everyday life

September 25, 2023
To commemorate 120 years since Tarmac’s founder Edgar Hooley first perfected how to make road surfaces stick, the company’s illustrious history and its work on...
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Tarmac in the community: Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund facilitates new youth ‘hang out’

September 22, 2023
A £14,500 grant from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund has enabled Kenelm Youth Trust to expand its array of adventure activities for young people.
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Hertfordshire parkland identified as haven for beetle biodiversity

September 20, 2023
Leading ecologists have identified Panshanger Park in Hertfordshire as one of the most important habitats for a group of beetles in the UK, including recording...
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Tarmac volunteers dig deep to reinstate ancient Peak District pathway

September 18, 2023
Volunteers from Tarmac braved the recent September heatwave to help restore a treasured pathway in the Peak District.
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‘Have a seat!’ says local school thanks to Tarmac donation

September 12, 2023
With a donation of £942 from Tarmac, Buxton Community School, in Derbyshire, has been able to encourage ‘more bums on seats’, not inside, but outside...
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Tarmac’s ‘Outstanding’ apprenticeship delivery 

September 7, 2023
Tarmac’s learning and development (L&D) team is celebrating after receiving an Outstanding rating from Ofsted’s first full inspection for its apprenticeship provision. 
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Tarmac donation helps local theatre hit the right notes

September 5, 2023
Thanks to a £650 donation from Tarmac’s Mountsorrel Quarry, the Starlight Youth Theatre, in Quorn, has been able to ‘C major’ improvement with the purchase...
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Concrete Society visit Tarmac’s Dunbar cement plant

August 24, 2023
In late July, Tarmac’s Dunbar plant in East Lothian hosted a visit for 47 members of the Concrete Society Council.
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Rail capability statistics


£2m saved in sourcing switches enabled by rail

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4% more tonnage on each train (vs 2018)

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£670k delivered in cost saving initiatives

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50% reduction in freight operator train cancellations

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£750k of CI benefits delivered since 2016

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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.