Carlisle out of the running to be new Great British Railways HQ
Carlisle is out of the running to be the new headquarters of Great British Railways
It was one of 42 towns and cities to put their name forward for the investment but hasn't made the shortlist.
The competition is now down to Birmingham, Crewe, Derby, Doncaster, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and York.
The central headquarters will be the heart of the rail network and will provide strategic direction for the running of GBR, as well as bringing a number of highly skilled jobs to the area.
As part of the Government’s commitment to level up the UK, the new GBR headquarters will be based outside of London and bring high-skilled jobs to the winning location.
Local economies will be further boosted by a number of new regional headquarters across the country, putting decision-making and investment at the heart of the communities that use those railways day-to-day.
Carlisle MP, John Stevenson, said he's disappointed:
Commenting John said,
“It is obviously disappointing this morning to hear that Carlisle has not made the shortlist for the Great British Railway HQ. Hopes were high as the city ticked yes to so many of the DfT criteria.
"Competition was stiff with 42 entries across the UK, and a very worthy six have now gone forward - Birmingham, Crewe, Derby, Doncaster, Newcastle and York - all also with a notable railway history.
Meanwhile, well done to Carlisle City Council for an extremely credible and enthusiastic bid. Disappointment will not stop me championing, making the case and putting Carlisle forward for investment and development at every opportunity.”
Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps said:
“Our world-leading railways have served this country well for 200 years and this is a huge step in the reforms, which will shape our network for the next 200.
“Great British Railways will create a truly sustainable, modern and fair railway network for passengers and freight customers.
“I’m calling on people across the country to play a key part in this once-in-a-generation reform and vote for the new home of our railways.”
Leader of the Great British Railways transition team, Andrew Haines, said:
“A big congratulations to Birmingham, Crewe, Derby, Doncaster, Newcastle and York for reaching the final stage in the Government’s competition to find the national HQ for Great British Railways.
“Since the competition was launched it has been great to see the interest from towns and cities across Britain who believe GBR’s home should be with them. I am really looking forward to the next step and seeing which town or city has the honour of being the home for GBR. Good luck to the final six.”
A huge 42 cities and towns came forward to place their bids to be the home of GBR HQ. Applications were measured against six key criteria:
• Alignment to levelling up objectives
• Connected and easy to get to
• Opportunities for GBR
• Railway heritage and links to the network
• Value for money
• Public support
The creation of GBR was announced as a major pillar of the once-in-a-generation reforms launched by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps in the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail just over a year ago.
GBR will be a single guiding mind that ends the fragmentation of the rail industry and drives benefits and improvements across the network for passengers and freight customers.