Siemens Mobility has awarded the £40 million contract to build a new train manufacturing site at Goole.
Leeds-based GMI Construction Group has successfully tendered for the prestigious job, part of a £200 million investment in the Humber region, creating 700 jobs.
And it has been welcomed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who last July helped kickstart initial groundworks as part of a launchpad for post-Covid economic recovery.
Mr Johnson said: “I am delighted to see the huge strides that have been made by Siemens Mobility since I visited their site in Goole last summer.
“As they develop the state-of-the-art rail facility, their commitment to invest in local suppliers boosting jobs and unlocking growth in Yorkshire – is a fantastic example of how we can level up across the country and build back better from the pandemic.”
Alongside the main facility, GMI will construct the four and a half kilometres of rail track needed for connection to the main railway line. A commitment to using local suppliers, emphasis on employment, skills and education, as well as its record of project delivery was key to the firm securing the contract.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The North is the birthplace of our railways, with a rich history of manufacturing excellence, so it is fitting that the £40 million contract to build the UK’s newest train factory has been awarded to a Yorkshire company.
“This will create new skilled jobs in Goole, boost local supply chains and generate long-term investment - welcome news as we work to level up communities across the North and build back better from the pandemic.”
It is part of the first phase of investment in the Siemens Mobility plant, which will also feature a rail supply chain village with on-site academic support.
Sambit Banerjee, managing director of Siemens Mobility Rolling Stock & Customer Services, added: “Our goal is to really put Goole on the map. We want to create more than just a rail manufacturing factory, this is about generating long-term investment, skills and jobs.
“We are actively looking for as many UK suppliers as possible to contribute to Goole’s success. The appointment of GMI as main contractor, with shared values and growth ambitions for the local area, is a clear step in the right direction. Together we will make this an important and sustainable rail centre of excellence for the future.”
First orders are already secured with Transport for London with new underground trains for London’s Piccadilly line.
Eyes are on HS2 too.
Lee Powell, divisional managing director at GMI, said: “We are delighted to be working on the Goole project. We are fully committed to the local area, just as Siemens Mobility are. We have a very strong local supply chain and everyone who is involved in this project from GMI Construction lives within a 25-mile radius of the site.
"We have an employment and skills plan including creating apprenticeships and employing those who have previously been unemployed, and we will be engaging with local educational establishments and charities.”
In total, Siemens Mobility works with around 3,000 suppliers, 47 per cent of which are UK-based SMEs.
The Goole site is scheduled to open in 2023.
