Celebrating a Milestone: 20 Million Tonnes Moved by Rail!

What a moment to celebrate! At Victa, we’ve just hit an incredible milestone alongside our valued partner, Cemex UK: 20 million tonnes of aggregates transported by rail from Dove Holes Quarry in Derbyshire. These materials are now part of major construction projects shaping cities across the UK—and we couldn’t be prouder.

Back in 2018, we joined forces with Cemex to tackle a big challenge: moving aggregates off the narrow, winding roads of the beautiful Peak District and onto rail. Seven years later, that decision has paid off in ways we could only have imagined. Together, we’ve built a partnership rooted in performance, safety, and resilience.

Why does this matter? Because rail freight isn’t just efficient—it’s transformative. Every train we run means thousands of lorries are taken off congested roads, reducing emissions and improving safety for everyone. Rail produces around 50% less CO₂ per ton-mile than road haulage, and fewer HGVs mean quieter roads, cleaner air, and safer communities. That’s sustainability in action.

• Moving 20m tonnes by rail from Dove Holes Quarry has taken 520,000 lorry journeys from the country’s congested roads since June 2018* 

• Aggregates have been transported into major UK cities for construction and infrastructure sites including Manchester, Birmingham and London...

At Victa, we’re proud to play our part. Our expert teams handle everything from terminal management and ground staff to locomotive driving and strategic planning. Appointed by Cemex to manage all train arrivals, departures, and shunting at Dove Holes, we’ve delivered over 99% of outbound trains on time and in full—keeping construction projects moving without a hitch.

This milestone also comes as we celebrate Victa Railfreight’s 30th anniversary. For three decades, we’ve been committed to delivering innovative, sustainable, and customer-focused freight solutions. Today’s achievement is a testament to that commitment—and to the incredible collaboration with Cemex UK.

Looking ahead, rail will remain a cornerstone of both our sustainability strategies. Cemex’s “Future in Action” plan to cut CO₂ emissions aligns perfectly with our mission, and we’re excited to keep expanding rail’s role in the supply chain.

Here’s to the next milestone—and to continuing to make a real difference for our customers, our communities, and our planet.