Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove has officially opened up the first operational element of Siemens Mobility’s Goole rail village.
The senior cabinet minister cut a ribbon that is likely to be the lightest weight ever lifted by huge cranes installed inside the new rail components facility, launching the £7 million investment in front of employees.
The 4,000 sq m unit was built in addition to the original £200 million train manufacturing plant proposal, where first units are set to enter the build process within the next year. A total of 40 staff are already employed, with a further 30 roles to be created over the next 12 months. They will maintain elements such as gearboxes, traction motors, fan systems and heating, ventilation and air conditioning units from fleets running from Scotland to France.
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Mr Gove said: “It's fantastic to see Siemens Mobility investing in this new facility in Goole. This is a great example of how we're working with business to deliver on our commitment to secure international investment in the UK to create new skilled jobs and level up the country. It is a brilliant example of levelling up. We have Goole, an area rich in talent, that hasn’t always had the investment it deserves. Now we have Siemens, a world-class state-of-the-art company recruiting people and planning to scale up. The future of transport is being shaped here.”
The components facility was previously operating out of a small space in Leeds, but huge growth in own fleet and third party maintenance has seen the need for expansion, and even the original plans for Goole were enlarged.
Joining Mr Gove was managing director for rolling stock and customer services at Siemens Mobility, Sambit Banerjee, who told how it was the next phase of Siemens Mobility's plans to establish Goole as a centre of excellence for rail technology in the UK. He said: "We're proud to be able to show the Secretary of State the impact that our site in Goole is already having, creating jobs and supporting the region, and how this fits into his ambitions for levelling up.
“Investment in the rail industry is essential for not only boosting growth, but ensuring we have the capabilities to design, manufacture and maintain the different parts of our rail system here in the UK. What's more, our state-of-the-art rail village will enable us to drive forward a smarter, greener and more digital rail network.”
Much of the work now done at the site in Goole had previously taken place in Germany, with components shipped to mainland Europe. Trains require a servicing and a parts overhaul after one million miles in service, with Siemens Mobility stock making up almost a quarter of all UK passenger trains.
As with the rest of the rail village it sits at the heart of, the unit was built by Yorkshire-based GMI.
Joining the visit was Brigg and Goole MP Andrew Percy. He said: "The rail village at Goole is one I have visited many times and worked closely with Siemens Mobility to mark many milestones in recent years. It clearly shows how local investment creates jobs and opportunities, not just directly in the rail industry but the vital support services too with a recently opened new cafe and office space this is a hub of employment opportunities.”
It is expected that 300 to 400 people will be employed in the next 18 months, with the potential to double depending on future train orders.
Mr Gove wouldn’t be drawn on Transport for London's budget priorities, with Bakerloo line work eyed after Piccadilly, the initial contract Siemens Mobility has won.
He said: "The Transport Secretary and Transport for London are thinking hard about making sure it remains one of the world’s premier underground metropolitan rail networks, and I cannot pre-empt what the conversations will be. Transport is always an area where investment can unlock significant results. We will work with the Mayor of London to make sure it remains globally competitive.”
On regional transport issues, he said: "There is more to be done on the corridor that runs from the Mersey to the Humber, more to answer on cross-Pennine connectivity, but making sure we have efficient, high tech and attractive rolling stock is critical for that to work.”
And the importance of freeport status for the Humber, almost over the line, was clear. "I know how much the people in the Goole area are absolutely committed to this region, and securing the freeport is part of that," he said. "Whether people are in Hull or in Goole, in Grimsby or in Scunthorpe, the success of this region benefits everyone.
“For North and North East Lincolnshire, Hull and East Riding, working together is critical to make a success and the freeport gives scope for that, whether it is offshore wind farms or state-of-the-art transport.
“This fantastic facility is a great vote of confidence in Goole, being able to offer 700 to 800 very high quality jobs is a real indication that Siemens, a world-class company, believes in this community.”
He also expressed hopes for further education provision for the area, with strong housing growth being seen. He also said he hoped once the current election period was over, work could progress on devolution for both Hull and East Yorkshire and the Lincolnshire authorities.
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