18.5mn tonnes of aggregates moved from GB rail depots in 2020, says BDS report

Quarry Products / November 12, 2021
By Guy Woodford
Aggregates delivered by rail for HS2 works

An estimated 18.5 million tonnes of aggregates moved from rail depots in Great Britain in 2020, according to a new BDS Marketing Research report.

Estimated Movement of Aggregates from Rail Depots in Great Britain provides a detailed view of the movements of aggregates by rail in Great Britain in 2020, with information on an individual site level summarised by company, county, region, and nationally. It is designed to provide companies with market intelligence to support them in their operational and strategic objectives.

The volume of aggregates moved from British rail depots last year is similar to 2017 levels. However, BDS says regional variations are apparent when considering volumes and the number of rail depots. 

A total of 82 rail depots were identified to be in operation in Great Britain in 2020, with the majority located in the southeast region of England.

The latest report confirms Tarmac as the operator of the largest number of rail depots and the transporter of the greatest tonnage of aggregates from rail depots. In 2020 the market was dominated by five companies – Tarmac, Hanson, Aggregate Industries, CEMEX, and Day Aggregates, who between them accounted for 89% of the total market.

The report is one of a suite of output-focused reports produced by BDS. Others include:

  • Estimated Outputs of Pits & Quarries and Marine Wharves in Great Britain (2020)
  • Estimated Outputs of Ready-Mix Concrete companies in Great Britain (2020)
  • Estimated Outputs of Asphalt Plants in Great Britain (2020).

To find out more about the ‘Estimated Movement of Aggregates from Rail Depots in Great Britain’ report or to purchase a copy, email: [email protected]

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