LONDON TO SCOTLAND RAIL FREIGHT SERVICE – RUNNING 5 DAYS A WEEK FROM 3RD SEPTEMBER

SERVICE UPDATE – Monday 24th September 2007

Victa Westlink Rail Ltd is pleased to announce that its inter-modal Railfreight service from London to Scotland will be running 5 days per week from 3rd September 2007 with timings that offer our customers improved transit opportunities.

The service connects London (using terminals at Purfleet and Tilbury) and North West England (Widnes) with the Scottish Central Belt (Grangemouth) and is designed to convey inter-modal units up to 9’6” high x 13.6m long x 2.55m wide.

The service is proving popular but limited space is still available for customers moving traffic over this route. 

Brief details of the service are set out below:

VWR BOOKINGS DESK – 0845 873 8100
0830 to 1730 Monday to Friday

Timings

Note 1 – Cut off times for arrival of units at terminals will be advised by our bookings team (see below).
Note 2 – The Friday Southbound departure from Grangemouth recesses at Widnes to provide a Monday morning arrival at Tilbury & Purfleet

Equipment

The services can accommodate 20’/30’/40’/45’ ISO units up to 9’6” high and Top Lift Swap Bodies up to S42. Maximum weight per unit is 44 tonnes gross per unit.
Please call our bookings desk for more details on the acceptance of bottom lift equipment
Dangerous/Chemical goods are only accepted after consulting with our bookings desk as not all ADR Classes are accepted.

Rates

Rate enquiries should be directed to our bookings desk on 0845 873 8100. We can tailor our service to customer requirements, and include road collections and deliveries at either end of the rail movement if required. Alternatively, arrangements for road haulage and storage can be made between the customer and terminal directly using the contact details below.

* - Initial Contact on behalf of Port of Tilbury & W.Carter Haulage Ltd.

VWR BOOKINGS DESK – 0845 873 8100
0830 to 1730 Monday to Friday

PORT UNDERLINES THE IMPORTANCE OF SECURITY

Friday 21st September 2007
 
Port of Weston is pleased to announce that following the successful merger of its parent company, The Westbury Property Fund with superbrand ‘Eddie Stobart’, it is now part of the newly-formed Stobart Group Limited – which is able to offer a truly integrated transport and logistics solution, combining road, rail and ports activities.

Amongst the group’s new assets are The Port of Weston in Runcorn, which is currently being developed to become part of the Mersey estuary ‘SuperPort’ initiative, the AHC Westlink road transport operation in Widnes and the long-established O’Connors Transport company, which has road and daily rail-connectivity through its container-base and rail sidings at Ditton in Halton.

The Stobart Group has an established portfolio of long-term, big-brand customers including Tesco, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson and Sarah Lee, and currently employs more than 2,500 people throughout the UK, though it expects to create many more through its diverse investment and regeneration activities.  At Widnes, the group plans to develop over one million square feet of warehousing space, which could create in excess of 1,000 new jobs.
 
VWR is to be headed by Stobart Group’s Director of Rail, Guy Myddelton, and Managing Director Neil Sime, who will together spearhead integration with the other group companies and focus on the expansion and development of the VICTA Westlink freight offering.
 
“Being part of The Stobart Group will not only give us the backing of one of the UK’s real ‘superbrands’ it will also provide access to the vast experience and expertise of its new management team.” said MD Neil Sime today.
 
“Stobart Group is focused on the huge commercial and environmental benefits of integrated road, rail and waterborne freight.  We will be delighted to play our part in its long-term development and success.”

PORT UNDERLINES THE IMPORTANCE OF SECURITY

Westlink Group Chairman Guy Myddelton underlined the fundamental role of security in the development and operation of the Port of Weston, when he presented Richy Jones with his Port Facility Security Officer certificate today (30th April 2007).

During the presentation Guy spoke of the port’s strategic role as a ‘gateway’ into the region and therefore of the importance of security, in an international and a domestic context, and reaffirmed the Port of Weston’s commitment to the very highest levels of diligence and care.

Richy Jones, who works for Nantwich-based security service-providers Panad Ltd, has recently attended a three-day course at the Lairdside Maritime Centre, held by Liverpool John Moores University in association with the Port of Liverpool Police.

His course has covered all aspects of port security, including close liaison with authorities such as the Police and HM Customs & Excise, and also with ship and shore-based security personnel. Richy scored a creditable 90% (against an average of 70%) in the final written examination and was delighted to pass with distinction.

“As 2nd only to Port of Weston Director Peter Williams in security matters, my challenges will range from day-to-day dealings with drivers, transport and other such organisations, to the planning and execution of ‘rapid-response-type operations’ in cases of emergency.” said Richy.

NEW CEO BRINGS-IN NEW YEAR!

The Westlink Group, which owns the Port of Weston on the Manchester Ship Canal at Runcorn, was pleased to announce the appointment of its new Chief Executive today (1st January 2007).

Mark Forrest joins the Westlink team from PD Ports where he was head of the Humber and Solent operations

The Westlink Group intends to invest in maritime and rail based assets throughout the UK and Mark’s immediate brief at the Port of Weston is to co-ordinate the regeneration project of the existing docks - transforming the current brownfield site into a strategic regional hub for freight movements in the North West.

Mark immediately took up the reins of Chief Executive with introductions to personnel within the Westlink Group, and meetings with potential clients for the Port.

“I am delighted to be leading such an ambitious project” he said.” Our plans will create one of the UK’s only fully intermodal transport facilities with road, rail, inland waterway and deep sea access.”

“The Port of Weston is uniquely positioned amongst several blue-chip industrials and is well-set to provide comprehensive freight logistics solutions.”

A married man with four children, Mark enjoys all things equestrian. He lives on a small farm in Lancashire, where he keeps horses and livestock.

Executive Chairman of the Westlink Group, Guy Myddelton, commented: “ The appointment of Mark Forrest to the Westlink Board brings additional knowledge, experience and commercial competence from the Ports sector , and confirms the Group’s determination to build a strong and focused Ports business delivering value to our customers and our investors.”

SUPPORTING THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

RPS Plc’s Senior Ecologist Kerry Nicholson was joined by Eddie Wilkinson from Ineos Chlor today (Tuesday 19th December 2006) to undertake a ‘bat’ survey at the Weston Point Studios’ building, just off Mersey Road, Weston Point.

The survey is part of an environmental audit being carried out ahead of the Port of Weston development, intended to show whether bats are roosting in any of the buildings which may be earmarked for demolition.

Holder of a special conservation and ‘bat’ licence, Kerry travelled from RPS Plc’s Oxford office to carry out the work. She has previously undertaken ‘habitat’ surveys of the area, looking for evidence of plants and protected species – notably reptiles, breeding birds and badgers.

“We are keen to ensure that all development work for the Port of Weston is undertaken with consideration and respect for the local environment.” said Executive Chairman, Guy Myddelton.

ENTERPRISE CHAMPS!

Port of Weston Directors Peter Williams (left) and Alan McKie (right) were presented with the ‘2006 Enterprise Champions Awards’ today (Friday 17th November 2006).

The awards were made in recognition of Peter and Alan’s work in having the initial ‘vision’ for the regeneration of the former Weston Point ‘Salt Dock’ and then, in conjunction with Halton Borough Council, local MP Derek Twigg and many of Halton’s business leaders, turning their vision into reality.

They collected their awards at a Gala Dinner, hosted by the Halton Chamber of Commerce and attended by VIPs from all over the north-west region, including Liverpool ’08 campaigner, former ‘Brookside’ actor, Dean Sullivan.

MARKETING DVD

The Port of Weston’s latest DVD, entitled, “A Gateway to the Mersey Super-Port” was launched today (Friday 13th October 2006).

Containing a ‘virtual’ tour of the completed site, the DVD provides the very latest information available on the Port’s proposed layout, buildings and facilities. The new DVD had previously enjoyed its ‘premier’ at The Port of Weston’s September Board Meeting and Executive Chairman Guy Myddelton declared his Board “well pleased” with the production.

If you would like to obtain a copy of the DVD please contact The Port of Weston’s Central Services Director, Alan McKie on alan.mckie@portweston.com or telephone The Port of Weston on +44(0) 1928 590054.

RAIL FREIGHT CHIEF VISITS

The Port of Weston was visited by Lord Berkeley, Chair of the Rail Freight Group today (Wednesday 4th October 2006).

Accompanied by colleagues from the local rail freight industry, Lord Berkeley’s visit emphasised the importance of future links between the Port’s seaward, road and rail accesses and the proposed Main Line rail extension plans around the Halton area, including the Ditton Railfreight Terminal development.

Such links would strengthen Halton’s position as a strategic rail / road / sea logistics ‘hub’ for the whole of the north-west.

SIGNS MARK PARTNERSHIP AND PROGRESS

Large-scale signs were unveiled today (Thursday 28th September 2006) highlighting The Port of Weston’s location.

Designed and produced by the Port’s marketing and PR consultants Weston Point Studios, the new signs detail the Port’s international and national links and focus on the partnership between developers Westbury Property Fund, local authority Halton Borough Council and the many professional consultants and contractors who will play a part in the redevelopment initiative

PR HEADLINES

Issue 42 – The Port of Weston was the front page feature on the North Cheshire, Wirral and North Wales Consortium of Chambers of Commerce magazine ‘Alliance’, issue 42, out today (Thursday 31st August 2006).

The article, entitled “£60million scheme will contribute to Mersey Estuary Super-port!” provided an introduction to the proposed redevelopment and quoted from Executive Chairman Guy Myddelton’s project launch speech.

Favourable comments from such notable people as Halton Borough Council Chief Executive David Parr and the head of The Westbury Property Fund, Richard Burrell were also featured, further underlining the significance of the scheme as a major potential economic driver for the north-west.

DEMOLITIONS FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY

Preparatory works commenced on the regeneration of the former Weston Point Salt Dock today (Monday 3rd July 2006).

Contractors started with the demolition of several derelict warehouses deemed unsafe by Health & Safety advisors.

The work marks the symbolic start to the redevelopment of The Port of Weston by the Westlink Group, intended to create one of the UK’s only sea, road and rail-accessed port facilities.