Derby
is
to
be
the
home
of
Great
British
Railways, the
government
has
announced.

The
East
Midlands
city
will
host
the
GBR
headquarters,
where
several
hundred
people
will
work.

More
than
40
towns
and
cities
had
competed
to
host
GBR’s
headquarters,
and
six
were
shortlisted.
The
other
five
were
Birmingham,
Crewe,
Doncaster,
Newcastle
and
York.

Transport
secretary
Mark
Harper
said:
‘It’s
full
steam
ahead
for
the
reform
of
our
railways
and
today’s
announcement
is
not
only
a
huge
win
for
the
brilliant
city
of
Derby,
but
a
key
milestone
for
the
entire
rail
industry
across
the
country.

‘Great
British
Railways
will
put
the
passenger
first,
promoting
collaboration
and
innovation
across
a
joined-up,
efficient
and
modern
network.’

Derby-based
industry
networking
organisation
Rail
Forum
has
welcomed
the
news.

Chief
executive
Elaine
Clark
said:
‘All
of
the
finalists
were
strong
contenders
to
be
the
home
of
GBR
and
Rail
Forum
would
like
to
commend
each
of
the
locations
on
the
quality
of
their
bids.
GBR
will
be
the
guiding
mind
and
set
the
strategic
direction
for
the
future
of
Britain’s
railways.
Derby
is
an
excellent
location
for
the
HQ
and
we
look
forward
to
continuing
to
develop
our
relationship
with
GBRTT,
for
the
benefit
of
all
our
members
across
the
whole
of
the
UK.’

Maria
Machancoses,
who
is
the
chief
executive
of
regional
transport
body
Midlands
Connect,
said:
‘I
am
thrilled
to
hear
Derby
has
been
selected
as
the
home
for
the
new
Great
British
Railways
HQ.

‘It
is
an
excellent
choice;
Derby
is
right
in
the
heart
of
the
country
and
is
home
to
the
greatest
cluster
of
rail
sector
businesses
in
the
UK
and
indeed
Europe
making
it
a
perfect
location
for
the
home
of
GBR.

‘Investing
in
Derby
is
a
therefore
a
clear
vote
of
confidence
for
the
rail
industry
bringing
a
host
of
job
opportunities
to
the
region
and
we
look
forward
to
working
together
with
GBR
on
our
plans,
including
the
Midlands
Rail
Hub.’

Rail
Partners
lobbies
on
behalf
of
the
private
sector.
Its
chief
executive
Andy
Bagnall
said:
‘It’s
great
to
see
Great
British
Railways
has
found
its
future
home
in
Derby,
a
city
with
a
rich
history
of
railway
heritage
and
a
track
record
of
innovation.
The
strength
of
competition
for
the
HQ
from
other
great
railway
cities
up
and
down
the
country
speaks
to
the
transformative
power
of
rail
as
an
engine
for
green
growth.

‘Legislation
in
the
next
Parliamentary
session
is
now
the
critical
next
step
to
establishing
Great
British
Railways
and
maintaining
momentum
for
reform
of
our
railways
in
the
interests
of
both
customers
and
taxpayers.’