YORK would be seen as the "future of rail" if it wins the contract for Government's new, national railway HQ, campaigners say.
City of York Council and campaigners across the political spectrum have called for the Great British Railways (GBR) headquarters to be based in York.
The Council is set to launch an official bid with leader Keith Aspden describing how it would "go beyond empty slogans" in the Government's Levelling Up The North campaign.
What we know so far
Transport secretary Grant Shapps kickstarted the competition on Monday with the chosen town or city becoming the single, accountable public body responsible for running Britain’s railways.
The competition will “recognise towns and cities with a rich railway history that are strongly linked to the network”, according to the government.
The hub is expected to “bring a considerable number of new high skilled jobs" to the chosen city.
York name-checked among 'famous railway towns'
Since launching the competition, Mr Shapps name-checked York in an interview with the Financial Times.
Explaining the Government's hopes, Mr Shapps said: “We’re looking to locate it outside of London in a place with rail history and connectivity too…I’m sure York and Crewe and other famous railway towns will want to bid for it.”
Leader hopes to 'secure major opportunity'
Cllr Keith Aspden told The Press: “York is already at the heart of the rail industry in the North, with our existing rail links, rail sector jobs and highly skilled workforce, so it would make perfect sense for the headquarters of the Government’s flagship rail body to be based in the city.
“The city is directly connected by rail to 150 cities, towns and villages across the UK, providing direct access to 1/3 of the UK’s population. The York Central site is one of the most iconic and exciting city centre developments in the country.
"Having already secured funding for enabling infrastructure which is now underway, the timing would be perfect to make this home for Great British Railways, alongside a future Civil Service Hub.
“This move would bring a considerable number of new high skilled jobs for the city, supporting our local economic recovery and high skilled employment for generations to come. Key specialisms of the rail sector in York already include rail engineering and consultancy, signalling, transport software systems and digital rail innovation.
"We have continuously called on the Government to deliverer through their levelling up plans, going beyond empty slogans and bringing real investment to the city.
“Whilst we are awaiting the final information regarding the process, we will be submitting a bid with the support of the city’s and region’s key partners to secure this major opportunity for York and the region.”
Rachael Maskell MP (York Central, Labour) has already made representations to the Government in the cross-party fight.
The MP said: "Not only is York one of the best connected cities in the country, by rail, but York also has some of the top rail engineers, operational experts and leaders working on the next generation of the rail sector.
"With such expertise already in York, placing GBR on Network Rail’s York Central site would provide the rail sector its best opportunity for GBR to be a national success and take rail into a new era, it will also further develop York’s international reputation as the heart of the future of rail.
"For those working across the network, the added attraction of coming to York to work in such a rail city, as well as an incredible city, it will be a huge attraction to recruit the very best from across the industry."
Further details about the competition are expected to be released soon.
Meanwhile Julian Sturdy MP (York Outer, Conservative) has promised to "lobby hard" for York to be the Government's top choice.
Mr Sturdy said: "Following the Transport Secretary’s announcement that he is inviting suggestions for the location of the headquarters of the new Great British Railways I will be lobbying hard to promote York as the natural choice.
"Our city boasts an unrivalled railway heritage and the industry remains an important part of the local economy today. I look forward to working with the council and other local MPs to bring these jobs to York and cement our reputation as the home of the railways."
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