Andy Burnham shares ‘major concerns’ regarding huge rail freight park development

Greater Manchester metro mayor Andy Burham has ‘major concerns’ about Tritax Integrated Logistics Park North. Pictures: PA/Pixabay

ANDY Burnham says he has ‘major concerns’ about a huge new rail freight interchange being proposed in the area.

The Greater Manchester metro mayor raised the issues in a letter to the Tritax Integrated Logistics Park North consultation.

The strategic rail freight interchange project is proposed for land to the east of Newton-le-Willows near Parkside.

Plans include an intermodal rail terminal, logistics accommodation, and warehousing.

Mayor Burnham’s letter has been shared by councillors including Cllr Stuart Mann, Warrington borough councillor for Burtonwood and Winwick ward.

In his letter, Mayor Burnham says he has ‘major concerns’ regarding the scale of warehouses and their proximity to residential properties, stating that he is unconvinced that such a size is necessary.

He also called for a new bypass to be built, with such ‘crucial’ infrastructure needed at present, let alone when the ILP becomes operational.

The letter states: “I am aware of the potential benefits of a new strategic rail freight facility in the north west for the regional economy.

“However, I have significant concerns about the scale and the impact of the proposal on communities, and I would need to see substantial changes before I could consider supporting it.

“I find the level of evidence provided to support the current statutory consultation highly unsatisfactory.

“I remain of the view that this partial and fragmented approach does not allow residents and stakeholders to evaluate the cumulative impact of the scheme, alongside critical modelling data such as transport impacts and planned mitigation.

“As such, I am very disappointed by your decision to not extend the consultation stage beyond December 23, 2025, so that all of the relevant information and evidence can be reviewed together.”

In sharing and welcoming Mayor Burnham’s letter, Cllr Mann said: “Many of the concerns he raises mirror those that I have already shared directly with Tritax.

“These are particularly around the scale of the development, traffic and transport impacts, the loss of farmland, ecology, and biodiversity, and the very real visual and landscape impact on nearby communities.

“I hope Warrington Borough Council and the MP for Warrington North will also now clearly raise their concerns.

“Also, crucially, the concerns of residents in Winwick, Croft, Culcheth, and Glazebury about the potential devastating impact this proposal could have on our communities if it proceeds in its current form.

“While I would very much hope that this particular proposal does not go ahead as it is currently designed, I am also realistic enough to recognise that some form of development is likely on this land at some point.

“If that is the case, it is absolutely essential that whatever is built is significantly reduced in scale, properly addresses traffic and infrastructure capacity, fully protects ecology, biodiversity, and landscape, and genuinely reflects the voices and lived experience of residents.

“Our communities must not be asked to shoulder long-term harm for short-term or poorly mitigated development.

“I will continue to press for residents’ voices to be heard at every stage.”

More about Tritax Big Box here: https://www.tritaxbigbox.co.uk/