Rail-served batching plant approved in south-east London

Express Concrete, a joint venture between the company’s director and Cappagh Public Works Ltd, has received planning approval for a new rail-served concrete batching plant at the Former Plumstead Coal Yard in south-east London. The application, submitted in August 2024, was approved by the Royal Borough of Greenwich in February 2025. The new facility will support the growing construction demand in the capital.

The batching plant will be located on a section of the Former Plumstead Coal Yard site. Adjacent to rail sidings that are set to be reinstated by Devon and Cornwall Railways Ltd (DC Rail), after historically being used for freight transfer. 

Once operational, the plant is expected to produce approximately 75,000m³ of concrete per year, requiring an estimated 150,000 tonnes of aggregates annually. The facility will comprise a messroom and welfare building, as well as dedicated cycle, car, and HGV parking. Raw materials, including sand and stone, will be delivered to the site by rail helping to reduce reliance on road transport.

Express Concrete will lease the site from DC Rail, which will manage the transport, unloading and storage of aggregates at the wider freight facility. The construction of the batching plant within the active freight site will help ensure efficient material supply across the area. 

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