Inverness Rail Freight: Scottish Gov. Funds Sustainable Rail Shift

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Introduction

The Scottish Government is providing up to £3 million in funding to West Fraser Limited for the construction of a new £11.2 million rail freight terminal in Inverness, with operations expected to begin in mid-2026.

Funding and Project Details

The Scottish Government, through the Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) programme, has awarded up to £3 million to West Fraser Limited. This investment will support the construction of a new rail freight terminal at the company’s Dalcross site in Inverness.

Environmental and Operational Impact

The project is designed to shift more goods to rail transport, thereby reducing pressure on Scotland’s road network. Over the next ten years, the facility is projected to eliminate over 8.5 million lorry miles from Scottish roads and more than 17 million across the wider UK.

Government and Company Statements

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, highlighted that shifting freight to rail reduces road congestion, improves air quality, and cuts emissions. She noted that the project could remove the equivalent of up to 100 HGVs per week from the roads. George Webb, European Purchasing Director for West Fraser Limited, stated that the facility will help accelerate the switch from road transport to rail, removing approximately 20,000 HGV journeys off the A96 and A9 and eliminating approximately 9000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually in the first phase.

Construction and Timeline

Construction of the Inverness rail freight terminal has commenced, with the terminal scheduled to begin operations in mid-2026.