A
new
centre


for
storing
newly-manufactured
lengths
of
rail
has
been
opened
by
British
Steel
in
Scunthorpe,
where
most
rail
for
British
tracks
is
made.

BS
said
the
new
£10
million
‘stocking
hub’
will
make
sure
that
new
rail
is
ready
when
needed
for Network
Rail
projects.

It
said
the
rails
‘will
have
undergone
stringent
testing
and
quality
assurance
checks
required
to
meet
the
specification
to
allow
immediate
despatch
or
welding
into
216m
lengths’.

The
new
centre
has
11
multi-gantry
hoists
to
lift
the
finished
rails
on
to
wagons.
When
fully
stocked,
the
hub
will
hold
around
25,000
tonnes
of
finished
rails.

British
Steel’s
commercial
director,
rail,
Craig
Harvey
said:
‘We
are
committed
to
building
the
railways
of
the
future,
and
this
investment
supports
the
government’s
ambition
to
improve
rail
travel
and
connectivity.

‘It
will
also
enhance
our
long-term
strategic
partnership
with
Network
Rail
–
a
partnership
which
helps
millions
of
passengers
and
freight
operators
enjoy
safe,
enjoyable,
and
timely
journeys.

‘Together
we
have
an
integral
role
to
play
in
strengthening
the
UK’s
infrastructure,
enabling
development,
and
supporting
hundreds
of
businesses
and
thousands
of
jobs
in
the
supply
chain.

‘The
new
facility
is
the
latest
in
a
series
of
major
investments
in
British
Steel
by
our
owner,
Jingye,
which
is
resolute
in
its
commitment
to
enhancing
our
operations
and
helping
us
build
a
sustainable
future
for
our
business.’