Sittingbourne

Introduction
Kilbride specialises in the development of property based infrastructure projects. Its core business is the procurement of transport based infrastructure, specialising in rail. Working with private and public sector clients, Kilbride delivers realistic, cost effective opportunities for transport and associated infrastructure needs. This may be through direct investment in land and facilities, in joint ventures with manufacturing or landowners or as a head consultant.

Lo Pinod
Through improvements to short sea routes, multi modal connectivity between regional ports and their hinterland, and diversified port land use and operational models, Lo Pinod will help deliver social and economic benefits to communities and businesses across the North Sea Region. With an emphasis on improving the functionality, capacity and potential of regional ports, the project promotes co-operation on a transnational basis, concentrating on:
• Exploring access to commercial markets by sea
• Sustaining regional ports and developing local jobs
• Port diversification into the maritime energy sector
• Enabling ports to lobby with one voice
• Improving linkages with towns

Summary
Ridham Docks is a general cargo port, mainly handling dry bulk materials, located on the River Medway close to Sheerness. It is currently served by a rail link that needs upgrading if the port is to continue to grow and provide a wider range of services.
Adjacent to the port is a business park which is currently home to a major supermarket regional distribution centre (RDC) and a number of manufacturers and distribution outlets. Currently, these businesses are supplied by road transport. Through combining the requirements of the port and the business park, LO-PINOD partner Kilbride is working on an initiative to upgrade the current rail line and develop a rail terminal to serve the local businesses. The aim is to transfer much of the current road traffic to the more sustainable mode of rail.
• Negotiated commercial arrangements with potential users
• Negotiated commercial arrangements with Network Rail
• Negotiated public and private sector funding arrangements for the project.
• Reviewed the port infrastructure requirements
• Designed the rail access infrastructure
• Planning permission obtained for a new rail terminal
• LO-PINOD partners and Kilbride are sharing best practice on technical designs, loading facilities, train gauges and optimum train operations.

