A consultation has opened on proposals to bring a rail freight terminal to Newton-le-Willows, creating up to 6,000 jobs.
The proposal is being brought forward by logistics and development company Tritax Big Box, and would create the Intermodal Logistics Park North (ILP North) with Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) – a modern distribution and warehouse park linked to both the strategic rail freight and road networks – at the Parkside development in Newton-le-Willows.
The aim is to better connect the North West to local, regional, national and global markets, and is an integral part of the Liverpool City Region Freeport concept, a special economic zone created by the Government to boost investment.
If it goes ahead, Tritax Big Box say it could create up to 6,000 jobs on site and add c. £175m per annum in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the regional economy.
The site has been chosen due to its strategic location between Liverpool and Manchester, with excellent
access to the UK’s West Coast Main Line (north-south) and Liverpool-Manchester TransPennine (east-west) rail freight infrastructure.
These rail links provide access to the UK’s coastal ports, offering potential to facilitate a significant shift from road to rail freight to move goods in and out of the North West.
Red line map shows the proposed location of the ILP North
ILP North could deliver up to c.767,000 sq. m. (c.8.2m sq. ft.) of warehousing and ancillary buildings with a total footprint of c.590,000 sq. m. (c.6.3m sq. ft.) and c.177,050 sq. m. (c.1.9m sq. ft.) of mezzanine floorspace.
The project is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, meaning that permission will be determined directly by the Government by way of the Development Consent Order (DCO) process (rather than via the normal planning process).
However, people living locally will have lots of questions about what this development will mean for them, and for our town.
Here’s how to find out more and have your say:
Tritax Big Box Developments is holding a series of consultation events with the local community, which anyone interested to know more is invited to attend.
They will take place at:
• Monday 10 February 2025 at Crownway Community Centre, 2-7pm
• Thursday 13 February 2025 at Golborne Parkside Sports & Community Club, 2-7pm
• Friday 28 February 2025 at Winwick Leisure Centre, 2 – 7pm
• Saturday 1 March 2025 at Newchurch Parish Hall, 10am-2pm
• Wednesday 5 March 2025 – Online Webinar, 6.30pm-8pm (Register for your place here.)
This is a non-statutory consultation, which mean it is informal at this stage, and it runs from Monday 27 January 2025 until Friday 21 March 2025.
Detailed information about the proposals, and how to provide feedback can be found on the
project website. The project team can also be contacted by email at ilpnorth@consultationonline.co.uk or by phone on 01744 802043.
People can also sign up for updates from the Planning Inspectorate PINS on their website.
Feedback on the proposals during this round of informal consultation will be accepted until 11:59pm on Friday 21 March 2025. The project will then be refined before it is presented for further consultation during the statutory consultation phase, anticipated to be undertaken at the end of 2025.
David Travis, Head of Manchester Office at Tritax Big Box Developments said: “Our informal non-statutory consultation is a key milestone as we set out our early plans for ILP North in the Newton-le-Willows area. It has been a long-held ambition of St Helens Borough Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to bring such a development forward and we are delighted to be bringing their long-standing vision to fruition.
“The development of an SRFI at this location is an integral part of Liverpool City Region’s Freeport and is aligned with the UK Government’s target to increase rail freight by at least 75% by 2050; with potential to deliver a scheme of local, regional and national importance.
“We are committed to working with the local community and other stakeholders to inform the quality and design of the project as we go through the various stages of the consenting process and look forward to commencing our initial engagement with them over the coming weeks.”
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said: “This development could be a game-changer for the Newton-le-Willows area. This is exactly the kind of investment we need to strengthen our position as a vital hub for trade and logistics.
“I’m particularly excited about the prospect of creating thousands of good, sustainable jobs.
“With its strategic location and the support of the Liverpool City Region Freeport, this project will help drive economic growth, improve connectivity, and open up new opportunities for local people. It’s great to see our vision for the future of places such as this taking shape, and I look forward to working with Tritax Big Box Developments and all our partners to make this a reality.”
Cllr Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: “The proposal to bring forwards Intermodal Logistics Park North as an integral part of the Parkside Freeport has the potential to bring in huge growth opportunities for our borough, create a range of jobs for our residents and support our current businesses through a wealth of supply chain opportunities during construction and operation.
“We have always recognised that this strategic site is of regional and national importance for both regeneration and the transition to net zero, given its unrivalled transport connections and Liverpool City Region Freeport Tax Site status.
“I would strongly encourage people to take part in the consultation, hear about the vision for this hugely important site and help influence its future outcomes.”
What do you think?
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