Crewe has failed in its bid to be named as the location to host the headquarters of new public sector body Great British Railways (GBR).
Transport Secretary Mark Harper confirmed that Derby would be the location following reports that the East Midlands city had been successful in its bid.
The other unsuccessful shortlisted locations were Birmingham, Doncaster, Newcastle and York.
READ MORE: Click here to sign up to the BusinessLive North West newsletter
Mr Harper said: "Among an exceptional list of shortlisted applicants, Derby scored highest in the expression of interest stage of the competition, which analysed its suitability against six published criteria: levelling up, connectivity, opportunities for GBR, value for money, heritage and public support.
"It also scored highest in the six-week public vote, attracting 45,600 votes, more than 5,000 ahead of the second placed location in a total vote of 205,000.
"Derby will become the heart of Great Britain’s rail industry, bringing together track and train, as well as revenue and cost.
"This means we will finally treat the railway as the whole system it should be rather than a web of disparate interests that it’s become."
Crewe's bid to be named as the location for Great British Railways' headquarters was launched in March 2022.
Bentley and Avanti West Coast were among the businesses to back the bid.
GBR’s transition team will "work with Derby to identify the site for the HQ within the city, which will represent value for money for the taxpayer," Mr Harper said.
He claimed the Midlands is "already a transport supercluster for Britain" with Department for Transport and HS2 bases in Birmingham.
The Cabinet minister said: "Bringing GBR HQ to Derby represents a further boost to the region’s transport sector and demonstrates our commitment to levelling up the country."
He added: "Other towns and cities will also benefit from hosting empowered regional GBR hubs equipped with decision-making and investment powers aimed at benefiting their local communities.
"GBR will support jobs spanning across Great Britain including the North, South East, South West and London."
READ MORE:
Contract extension handed to Avanti West Coast after 'recent improvements'
Wigan Athletic face new EFL charges and docked three points after failing to pay players on time
Leon co-founder Henry Dimbleby quits as Government's food tsar
Home Bargains in 'strengthened' position despite profits falling by over £100m
