GB Railfreight (GBRf), FirstGroup plc’s freight business has won a contract with Mendip Rail to move recycled rail ballast from London to East Anglia. Under the agreement GBRf will operate eight trains made up of JNA big-box wagons taking a total of 10,000 tons of the material from Acton in west London to an aggregates facility at Parkeston, near Harwich in Essex, operated by Yeoman Aggregates.

Alan Freemantle, Mendip Rail’s commercial manager, said: “We chose GBRf for the work because they were able to respond to a short-term opportunity with the right operational package.”

GBRf’s head of Business Development and Marketing Ashley Stower said: “GBRf was ready to react quickly to Mendip Rail’s requirements. This is the first time we have work we have carried out for Mendip Rail and represents a great opportunity.”

Following delivery by GBRf the recycled material will be used in the construction industry.