The Department for Transport has announced that they are launching a competition to find the headquarters for Grear British Railways. This new organisation, announced by ministers earlier this year, will own the nation’s rail infrastructure, as well as run the network, and setting fares and timetables.
Dr Kieran Mullan, MP for Crewe & Nantwich has already started lobbying hard for Crewe to be the new home for Great British Railways saying:
“Given the fact that we have a rich railway heritage, I cannot think of anywhere better for these new headquarters to be than right here in Crewe. I have already written to the Transport Secretary, urging him to select Crewe to be the home of the UK’s railways, a campaign I am sure the whole community will get behind”.
In light of this unique opportunity, Cllr Janet Clowes (Conservative Group Leader) has submitted a Notice of Motion to Cheshire East Council urging the Council to prioritise a robust bid to Government as soon as the Government launches the initiative.
The Notice of Motion, as set out below, is expected to be discussed at Full Council next week (20th October):
“We propose that:
1) This Council engages directly with the Transport Secretary Grant Schapps and prioritises the submission of a competitive bid for Crewe to host the new headquarters for Great British Railways (GBR).
2) That Cheshire East Council engages proactively with Crewe & Nantwich MP Dr Kieran Mullan, together with our regional and subregional transport partners, to enhance and strengthen this unique and iconic bid.”
Cllr Clowes explains:
”Crewe with its iconic railway history, strategic location as “Gateway to the North” and its valuable ‘hub and spoke’ network links to the north, west and north midlands, as well as London, is well-placed to host the GBR Headquarters.”
“In the wider context of ‘Levelling Up’, HS2a, developing the Crewe Hub Station and the regeneration of Crewe, this provides an extraordinary opportunity for Cheshire East Council to bid to accommodate the GBR headquarters that offers significant benefits for both Government and Cheshire East alike – an opportunity we must not miss.”
Reference:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-competition-to-find-first-hq-of-great-british-railways
