Wakefield Europort

[1] The River Calder and Aire and Calder Navigation canal form the northern boundary, the site is trisected by two parts of the Hallam Line which branches at Altofts Junction; the former North Midland Railway, and the former York and Normanton Line of the York & North Midland Railway from which the rail port branches.

[1] Historically the site was used for agricultural purposes until the late 19th century when coal mining began in the area (West Riding Colliery[note 1]) - coal mines, and associated terraced housing (Providence Row, and Silkstone Row), a gas works, coke ovens and a dock (later staithes) on the Aire and Calder Canal were built.

[2][3] In response to sanctioning of construction of the Channel Tunnel by the Channel Tunnel Act 1987, a number of schemes for rail-connected intermodal terminals and distribution centres were put forward in expectation of additional rail freight flow to be serviced;[4] in 1989 terminals in Leeds and Doncaster were proposed.

The alternative site included green belt land and required a public enquiry: in 1992 the 350 acres (140 ha) development was officially sanctioned by the Secretary of State John Gummer due to its strategic importance.

[8] By 2009 the railport was working at approximately half capacity and handling one intermodal container train from Tilbury and Felixstowe per weekday and two per day from Southampton (600,000 t p.a.).