The city of Derby – which has a railway engineering heritage dating back to the 19th century – has been shortlisted as the potential home of home of Great British Railways (GBR).
In all six places have been included on the shortlist – Birmingham, Crewe, Derby, Doncaster, Newcastle and York.
They were among 42 areas which expressed an interest in becoming home of the new public body set up by the Government to run Britain’s disjointed railways.
Derby’s bid has the backing of councils across the East Midlands including Nottinghamshire, Nottingham, Leicester and Leicestershire, representing over three million people from across the region.
The Government wants Great British Railways to deliver the most ambitious changes to our railways in a generation, and announced last October that the headquarters would be outside the capital.
The city of Derby is at the heart of the UK’s rail network and its backers say is a front runner in the competition.
Ministers will now visit all the locations on the shortlist followed by a “non-binding but influential” public vote to measure the level of public support for each.
The public vote at consultations.gbrtt.co.uk closes on August 15, 2022, and the result will be considered as part of final decision.
The winner will be announced later this year.
Derby City Council leader Coun Chris Poulter said: “We're absolutely delighted that Derby has been shortlisted to become the new home of Great British railways.
“This shortlisting is a testament to the hard work of our team, alongside our key rail partners based across the city - we couldn't have done it without them.
“As well as having a long 180-year plus rail history, what sets us apart is we remain home to a thriving rail ecosystem – Europe’s largest rail cluster.
“I'm thrilled that Derby's rail credentials are being recognised by the Government.”
GBR will integrate the railways across the country, owning the infrastructure, collecting fare revenue, running and planning the network, and setting most fares and timetables.
Derby City Council said dozens of businesses are backing its bid including East Midlands Airport, East Midlands Railways, Sperry Europe, Costain, Deutsche Bahn ESG, Toyota, Loram, Serco, Derby College Group, Resonate, Train FX, Alstom and the University of Derby.
Will Rogers, managing director of regional intercity service provider East Midlands Railway, said: “We are proud to support Derby's bid to become the new home of Great British Railways and welcome their inclusion in the national shortlist.
“Derby is our home, an historic centre of railway excellence and well located in the heart of the Midlands, providing excellent transport links to towns and cities across the country.
“We look forward to the public vote, formal visit and the opportunity to showcase why Derby would make an excellent home for Great British Railways."
Kate Martin is deputy principal at Derby College Group, whose estate includes the Roundhouse in Pride Park – which was once part of a locomotive works.
She said: "The shortlist announcement is great news for Derby.
“As the city's FE college with strong employer and curriculum links to the rail industry, we are fully behind Derby's bid to bring the headquarters of Great British Railways to the city.
“This will create high quality jobs for many, including our alumni, and act as a catalyst to further inward investment."
Richard Kelly, managing director at railway engineering business Loram, said: “Loram is delighted to back Derby’s bid for the new headquarters of Great British Railways.
“Our US parent company made a conscious decision to base Loram UK in Derby, which is at the heart of the railway.
“With unrivalled access to a dynamic and diverse supply chain, as well as a highly skilled talent pool, it makes perfect sense to base GBR in this city.”
Justin Stroud, managing director, Europe at railway inspection company Sperry Rail said: “Derby is the location of Sperry’s European headquarters because of its connectivity.
“After 20-plus years of conducting very successful business from Derby, I would personally say GBR would be mad not to use the centre of the United Kingdom as the location to grow the Great British Railway.”
Michael Hulme, site engineering director at Derby-based rolling stock giant Alstom, said: “As the UK’s leading designer, builder and maintainer of trains, we’re proud to call Derby home.
“The city has been building trains for Britain and the world since 1839 and continues to do so today. We’re delighted to support the city’s bid.”
