Alex Hynes, Chief Executive of DfT Operator, visited Siemens Mobility's Goole Rail Village this week as part of a wider programme hosted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, bringing together transport, business and regional leaders to discuss connectivity, investment and economic growth across Yorkshire and the Humber.
Hosted by Siemens Mobility and Cllr Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the visit brought together representatives from DfT Operator, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Hull & East Yorkshire Combined Authority, the Office for Investment and the Department for Business and Trade to discuss transport connectivity, investment and economic growth across Yorkshire and the Humber.
Alex Hynes, Chief Executive of DfT Operator, said:
“Siemens’ world-class facility has been transformational for Goole, driving regional economic growth and creating hundreds of skilled jobs.
“As we prepare to publish the first long-term integrated rolling stock and infrastructure strategy in over 30 years, working collaboratively with manufacturers, like Siemens, will be vital in determining our future rolling stock requirements under Great British Railways.
“Together with other industry partners, passengers will be at the heart of the strategy as we strive to deliver a modern, accessible, comfortable and sustainable national fleet that delivers a better railway for everyone in Britain.”
Aglaja Schneider, Joint CEO and Managing Director, Rolling Stock and Customer Services at Siemens Mobility UK&I, said:
“I was delighted to welcome Alex, Anne and regional stakeholders to Goole and showcase the role rail investment can play in supporting economic growth, connectivity and opportunity across Yorkshire and the Humber.
Our investment in Goole reflects Siemens Mobility's long-term commitment to Britain’s railway. By bringing together manufacturing, customer services and digital technologies, we are helping to strengthen UK rail capability, improve performance and reliability, and develop the skilled workforce needed for the future railway.
Today’s discussions reinforced the importance of long-term investment and collaboration between industry, government and regional partners to support sustainable growth and a better-connected region.”
During the visit, stakeholders toured the Goole Rail Village, including the train manufacturing facility and component overhaul operations which will be joined by a bogie service centre later this year. They also saw Siemens Mobility’s digital operations centre which monitors all of the company’s UK fleets to optimise reliability and performance. The tour highlighted how Siemens Mobility's investment of up to £240 million in Goole is supporting rail manufacturing, skills development and supply chain growth in the region.
The Goole Rail Village is expected to support up to 1,000 direct jobs and around 1,700 supply-chain opportunities, helping to strengthen UK rail capability while supporting economic growth across Yorkshire and the Humber.
Cllr Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:
"Siemens Mobility's investment in Goole is creating high-quality jobs, developing skills and strengthening the local economy. The Goole Rail Village is a strong example of how investment, innovation and collaboration can support long-term growth and opportunity across East Yorkshire and the Humber.
Strong transport connectivity is essential to attracting investment, supporting businesses and ensuring local communities can benefit from the opportunities being created across our region.
"The visit concluded with a roundtable discussion hosted by Cllr Handley which focused on transport connectivity, skills, investment and opportunities to support future growth across Yorkshire and the Humber.
