Doncaster has today formally launched its bid to host the HQ of Great British Railways, the new body that will run the country’s rail network.
The bid is backed by civic leaders and Chambers of Commerce across the region. If successful, GBR’s HQ will bring hundreds of high-skilled jobs to the region. It will create many more in the broader rail sector that will benefit from the extra investment and talent it will attract.
In support of the bid, CEO of Doncaster Chamber Dan Fell, said: “Doncaster is the right choice for GBR’s HQ. We are a community of rail families. Our region may be steeped in rail history, but it’s our future too. We built the Flying Scotsman and Mallard. But we also maintain today’s fleet of new LNER trains.
“Our rail industry employs 20,000 people across 200 companies. Whatever your focus within rail or logistics, you can make your career here with the biggest names in the trade. Network Rail, Unipart Rail, Hitachi, DB Cargo, Volker Rail – all have chosen South Yorkshire. The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, which brings together leading producers from around the world, is based at the University of Sheffield. The National College of Advanced Transport and Infrastructure (NCATI) caters to the range of careers in rail.
“This new HQ will be just a short walk from Doncaster’s East Coast Mainline station with fast onward connections by rail and road to the rest of the country.
“If we win, it will mark a major milestone in our economic revival – underpinning the growth of one of our most promising sectors. It will prove how far ‘Team South Yorkshire’ has come in working together to secure transformational investments in our economy.”
Mr Fell added: “The scale of support from businesses and communities for Doncaster’s bid is becoming very clear. The region’s Chambers, which jointly work with more than 20,000 businesses a year and represent members employing more than 422,000 people, throwing their weight behind this campaign is significant. We are all determined to maximise this opportunity for our region and our business communities; we stand ready to work with our partners, businesses and Government to make GBR’s move to the Doncaster as resounding success.”
