RETAIL chains occupying the railfreight terminal will want to deliver goods to smaller areas than the whole South East, Helioslough's rail expert has told the inquiry.

Helioslough is trying to attack the council's argument that most potential occupiers will distribute across the Home Counties, rather than just the north-west sector of the M25.

The authority claims the company's alternative sites study is worthless as it examines only the north-west sector, but Helioslough is fighting back hard.

Its rail expert Nick Gallup quoted evidence from Marks and Spencer showing the store chain preferred smaller warehouses distributing on a “sub-regional” basis.

He said: “If you go to any strategic railfreight interchange you will see a mix of distributors. Some deliver to a local area and some to a wider region.

“It is impossible to predict who the occupiers will be or what their distribution pattern will be.”

In response to the council's argument that full electrification of the Midland Main Line could be many years away, he said: “At present the line past the site is electrified to the south as far as St Pancras.

“The Strategic Rail Authority has said that after electrification of the Great Western Line, the Midland Main Line is the next most important.”