New Plumstead railway yard approved

Plans for a railway yard and concrete plant in Plumstead have been approved.

A proposal was submitted last year on the former Plumstead Goods Yard located north of the current Southeastern sidings.

It was approved in February this year with further details now submitted.

It’s set to be constructed just across from the Ridgeway atop the southern outfall sewer near a major new development now underway that’s set to bring 1,913 homes at West Thamesmead gateway, which is now branded as Lombard Square.

Future Southeastern sidings?

Southeastern currently have a three-track sidings north of the running lines and there appears enough space to slightly expand even with a new concrete batching plant which occupies a relatively modest part of the plot.

Until 2020 pressure for new sidings for Southeastern passenger trains appeared intense with a lack of stabling space. The reduction of passengers since 2020 has alleviated that alongside higher capacity trains, but if one day need does arise the space is available.

Slade Green expansion has been limited by green belt land to the north.

In the recent past the Network Rail-owned site in Plumstead was previously used as a temporary Crossrail construction compound.

Last year’s approved application for a concrete plant stated: “Works are currently being progressed by freight operating company Devon and Cornwall Railways Limited Ltd (‘DC Rail’) to reinstate the wider site as a fully active freight site to receive aggregate and other rail imported material to serve the capital.

“A connection agreement has been completed with the rail network ahead of track reinstatement to take place in the near future.

“The works are being progressed under rail related permitted development rights by DC Rail who have taken a long lease from Network Rail to expressly enable the Former Plumstead Coal Yard site to be fully used for rail freight purposes again.”