West Fraser Inverness Rail Sliding

BT Bell provided comprehensive earthworks and civil engineering design services for a major new rail freight facility at West Fraser’s oriented strand board (OSB) manufacturing plant near Inverness.

Specifically, the infrastructure development centered on constructing two 560-metre-long rail sidings. These new sidings provide a direct connection between West Fraser's manufacturing facility and the main Aberdeen–Inverness railway line. In addition, the development incorporates a dedicated freight handling area, container storage hardstanding, site access infrastructure, and specialist facilities for loading and unloading freight.

Engineering Scope and Technical Delivery

Throughout the project, BT Bell managed the earthworks design for the new rail formation and associated site infrastructure. Crucially, our team ensured the ground platform provided a stable and durable formation capable of meeting the heavy operational demands of a rail freight terminal.

Additionally, our civil engineering scope involved:

  • Site Level Coordination: Designing and balancing site levels across the new formation.

  • Access & Drainage Integration: Developing comprehensive site access routes and sustainable drainage systems.

  • Multidisciplinary Alignment: Collaborating closely with the wider project team to integrate the new railway infrastructure into an active, operational manufacturing site.

Environmental and Strategic Impact

Historically, industrial sites rely heavily on road transport. However, this new rail connection forms a core part of West Fraser’s strategy to transition away from road haulage by transporting raw materials and finished products directly by rail.

Ultimately, the first phase of this development removes thousands of HGV movements from Scotland's road network every year. As a result, the facility cuts annual carbon emissions by approximately 9,000 tonnes. Overall, the project demonstrates how coordinated earthworks and civil engineering design can deliver vital industrial infrastructure while securing long-term environmental benefits.

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