A prominent UK politician has toured panel producer West Fraser’s major rail freight investment at Inverness – a project set to remove up to 10,000 HGV journeys annually.
Stephen Flynn MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, met West Fraser executives at the SterlingOSB Zero manufacturing facility.
The new rail freight terminal, a major infrastructure project that will connect the Inverness plant directly to the Aberdeen-Inverness railway line, forms part of West Fraser’s long-term strategy to improve logistics efficiency, increase supply chain resilience and reduce transport-related carbon emissions.
The new facility incorporates two 560m rail sidings together with infrastructure for loading and unloading freight containers. Once operational, the terminal will enable more raw materials and finished products to be transported by rail, reducing reliance on road haulage. In its initial phase, the project will cut cutting annual CO2 emissions by an estimated 9,000 tonnes. There is also potential for other business in and around Inverness to use the terminal, extending its economic and environmental benefits across the region.
“By enabling more timber to move by rail, this facility is supporting a more efficient, resilient and low-carbon supply chain,” said Mr Flynn. “This investment demonstrates the value of partnership working in growing rail freight across the Highlands and Scotland as a whole.”
“It is a brilliant example of a positive collaboration between our business, our stakeholders, the local community, and Transport Scotland, and showcases the vital contribution the forestry sector makes to the Highland economy and to communities all across Scotland,” added George Webb, European Purchasing Director at West Fraser.
“We welcomed the opportunity to discuss these exciting developments with Mr Flynn and the Rail Freight Group”.
