UK: A number of councils across the country have confirmed their intention to bid to host the headquarters of Great British Railways, under a competition announced by Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps.
Chief Executive of Derby City Council Paul Simpson said the city ‘has a 200-year legacy as being the centre for the rail industry and geographically sits in heart of UK rail network’ and is ‘home to Europe’s largest and most diverse rail cluster’ which ‘would offer a unique opportunity for the government to collaborate with the rail industry.’
Doncaster’s elected Mayor Ros Jones said ‘with an extensive rail history of over 150 years of engineering excellence in the rail sector, Doncaster is a national hub for rail industry manufacturing and infrastructure. We have world class rail and engineering education and training facilities here and a skilled workforce, bringing together the hearts, hands and minds of the Great British Railway.’
Leader of Swindon Council David Renard said Brunel had ‘recognised the potential of Swindon when choosing it to be the home of the Great Western Railway’, adding that the town’s railway heritage is ‘second to none’. He said ‘GBR would be in good company with Swindon already home to several engineering firms, including the headquarters for the Western Route of Network Rail.’
Leader of City of York Council Keith Aspden said ‘York is at the heart of the rail industry in the north. There are around 5 000 rail jobs based in York, which forms 10% of the national rail industry. Large operators such as LNER, Northern and Grand Central are also based in the city. York is also lucky to have a highly skilled workforce and two fantastic universities.’
