Bridlington and The Wolds MP Charlie Dewhirst visits Goole Rail Village

Siemens Mobility's state-of-the-art Rail Village in Goole, East Yorkshire, recently welcomed Charlie Dewhirst MP, representing Bridlington and The Wolds, for an insightful tour. The visit underscored the site's profound commitment to its local communities, its economic contribution to the North of England, and its pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable rail technology.

Charlie Dewhirst MP, Member of Parliament for Bridlington and The Wolds, said:

“Thank you to Siemens for hosting me and showcasing their spectacular train manufacturing plant in Goole - a fantastic example of the private sector investment into the East Riding of Yorkshire in recent years, creating jobs for people from across the region. It is a superb example of how industry can drive economic growth and positive social impact, from supporting local families to pioneering sustainable rail solutions on our network.”

During his tour, Mr Dewhirst gained a comprehensive understanding of Siemens Mobility's wide-ranging community and skills initiatives. A key highlight was the pioneering supported internship programme, delivered in partnership with DFN Project SEARCH, Selby College and Hft, which empowers young people with special educational needs and disabilities to gain vital work experience and confidence. Five young people have already benefited, and a second cohort is already on site, demonstrating the programme growing success. Mr Dewhirst also heard about the extensive outreach efforts to inspire young people into engineering careers through attendance at school and college events, including the popular Primary Engineer programme where students design and build model trains.

The Bridlington and The Wolds MP also heard about the site's commitment to developing a diverse and skilled workforce, with more than 40 apprentices currently developing careers in manufacturing and engineering. Initiatives like Women in Manufacturing events promote gender diversity in STEM, complemented by various Employee Resource Groups such as Disability, EmBRACE, Pride & Women’s Networks.

Mr Dewhirst was particularly interested in Siemens Mobility’s innovative battery bi-mode trains. These trains have the potential to eliminate the need for new diesel passenger trains, offering a solution for the UK’s extensive unelectrified routes in areas where it isn’t practical to electrify any time soon. This technology, already proven and operational in Germany, could save Britain £3.5 billion over 35 years and reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 12 million tonnes. The Goole facility is already assembling the next generation of Piccadilly line trains and is ready to deliver new Bakerloo line trains too, projects crucial for modernising London travel and securing skilled jobs in East Yorkshire.

Niraj Sondhi, Commercial Director of Siemens Mobility’s Goole Rail Village, said:

"It was a pleasure to welcome Charlie Dewhirst MP and share the incredible story of our Goole Rail Village. We are deeply committed to being a positive force in the community, not just through the jobs and economic opportunities we create, but also through our extensive social and educational programs. Our ambition extends to transforming UK rail with our battery bi-mode technology, offering a sustainable and economically viable path forward for our national network, and we are proud that Goole is at the heart of this innovation."

The Rail Village, comprising a train manufacturing facility, components facility, logistics, and bogie assembly continuing to strengthen its ties with neighbouring communities, ensuring the economic and social benefits of this major investment are felt across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, including Bridlington and The Wolds.