{{Short description|Railway station}} {{Use British English|date=January 2023}} {{use dmy dates|date=July 2021}} {{Infobox station | name = Willesden Logistics Hub | name_lang = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | symbol = | symbol_location = | type = | image = | alt = | caption = | other_name = | address = [[Willesden]] | borough = [[London Borough of Brent|Brent]] | country = England | coordinates = {{Coord|51|31|59.71|N|0|15|6.51|W|display=inline,title}} | grid_name = | grid_position = | elevation = | owned = | operator = | manager = | transit_authority = | line = | distance = | platforms = | tracks = | train_operators = | connections = | structure = | depth = | levels = | parking = | bicycle = | accessible = | architect = | architectural_style = | status = Operational | code = | iata = | zone = | classification = | website = | opened = {{Start date|1994|06|07|df=y}} | opening = | closed = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}} --> | rebuilt = | electrified = | former = | original = | pregroup = | postgroup = | prenational = | years = | events = | passengers = | pass_system = | pass_year = | pass_percent = | pass_rank = | services = | other_services = | other_services_collapsible = | other_services_header = | other_services2 = | other_services2_collapsible = | other_services2_header = | footnotes =
}} '''Willesden Logistics Hub''' is a freight [[railway station]] situated adjacent to the [[West Coast Main Line]] in [[Willesden]], England.
== History == The site was rebuilt to handle container freight through the [[Channel Tunnel]] and was known as Willesden Euro Terminal, one of nine such facilities constructed. Prior to this, it was already in use as a freight handling yard.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Waite|first=Jordan|date=2017-07-12|title=Have You Seen These Remnants Of A Failed Eurotunnel Project?|url=https://londonist.com/london/transport/what-are-these-giant-yellow-cranes-in-north-west-london|access-date=2021-07-03|website=Londonist|language=en}}</ref> The first train departed for the tunnel on 27 June 1994.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-02-25|title=Willesden cranes make way for HS2 logistics yard|url=https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/willesden-cranes-make-way-for-hs2|access-date=2021-07-03|website=The Construction Index|language=en}}</ref> However, the site did not see as much use as hoped due to declining levels of freight trains using the Channel Tunnel. As a result, the customs facilities were de-staffed, and eventually the site stopped handling international trains. It continued to be used for domestic railfreight purposes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=International rail freight post-Brexit|url=https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/files/Publications/2018-08_international_rail_freight_brexit.pdf|access-date=2021-07-03|website=Rail Delivery Group|page=23}}</ref>
The site was identified by [[High Speed 2]] (HS2) as a candidate for use as a construction compound.<ref name=":0" /> Work started in 2018 to dismantle the disused cranes at the site. This was completed in March 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-03-15|title=Works now finished at HS2 Willesden Euro terminal|url=https://www.johnfhunt.co.uk/works-now-finished-at-hs2-willesden-euro-terminal/|access-date=2021-07-03|website=John F Hunt|language=en-GB}}</ref>
The first train ran from the refurbished facility on 2 July 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Roberts|first=Matt|date=2021-07-02|title=First trains depart from HS2's Willesden Logistics Hub|url=https://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/articles/first-trains-HS2-willesden-logistics-hub|access-date=2021-07-03|website=Rail Technology Magazine|language=en}}</ref>
== Usage == The facility is expected to handle up to eight freight trains per day during the construction of HS2.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-02|title=HS2 Deliveries to Take 1.5m Lorries from Roads|url=https://www.ukconstructionmedia.co.uk/news/hs2-deliveries-to-take-1-5m-lorries-from-roads/|access-date=2021-07-03|website=UK Construction Online|language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
{{High Speed 2 articles}} [[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1994]] [[Category:Railway stations in the London Borough of Brent]] [[Category:Rail freight transport in Great Britain]] [[Category:High Speed 2]]
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