Swindon & Wiltshire News
Swindon’s Great British Railways HQ bid hits the buffers
Swindon’s bid to be the home of Great British Railways hit the buffers this afternoon, when the government announced the honour would be going north.
Swindon Brough Council was among 42 towns and cities which submitted a bid to play host to the national headquarters of Great British Railways – the state-owned public body that will oversee rail transport in Great Britain from 2023.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps announced a shortlist that included Birmingham, Crewe, Derby, Doncaster, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and York.
No southern bid made it to the shortlist. Gloucester, Didcot in Oxfordshire, and the West of England combined authority – including Bristol and Bath – had also submitted bids.
The government had always said that the new HQ, which will bring a plethora of skilled jobs to the successful town or city, would be outside London.
Swindon’s bid was backed by 16 major organisations including Zurich Insurance and Nationwide Building Society. Over 3,600 residents had signed a petition backing the bid.
Councillor David Renard, leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “We are all naturally disappointed that the town has not made the shortlist.
“It was overwhelmingly clear from the many public comments received, that the community are not only hugely proud of Swindon’s railway heritage but also recognise what today’s Swindon has to offer.
“That includes being home to one of England’s most productive workforces and an impressive technical educational and training offer.
“Railways are part of Swindon’s DNA – our past, present and future. This can be seen in the £14m refurbishment of Brunel’s historic Carriage Works, our wonderful Steam Museum and in the work to protect and promote Swindon’s Railway Village through the £1.6 million Heritage Action Zone project.”
South Swindon MP Sir Robert Buckland Tweeted: “Thanks for all the support given to the bid.
“I am extremely disappointed by this but Justin Tomlinson and I will continue to push for Swindon to be one of GBR’s regional HQs.”
