Plans for a permanent headquarters for new national rail operator Great British Railways have been narrowed down to two locations in Derby.
The announcement comes more than three years after the city was selected as the preferred location for GBR – following a process that involved a public vote.
Derby triumphed over Birmingham, Crewe, Doncaster, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and York in that process, which concluded in March 2023. The following year a GBR “transition team office” was established at John Ellis House in the city.
Now Network Rail and Department for Transport Operator have announced that a longlist of five potential locations in Derby for GBR’s permanent HQ has been narrowed down to two. They are the Becketwell regeneration area in the city centre, which is a £200m project that will deliver a 3,500 capacity performance venue and new homes, and Midland House, an existing railway building opposite Derby station.
A final decision is expected by the end of the year. It will be based on a range of factors, including regeneration and economic value, value for money, and environment and social impact.
GBR will bring together the work of 17 different bodies into a single organisation responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the nation’s railways. Network Rail and DfTO – which is responsible for nationalised train companies – are responsible for the transition.
The creation of GBR is the subject of the Railways Bill, which was introduced to parliament in November last year. The draft legislation is currently at the House of Commons report stage.
Rail minister Peter Hendy said the shortlisting of locations for the GBR HQ means government is “one step closer to bringing highly-skilled jobs to a city already brimming with rail industry history and talent”.
Network Rail chief executive Jeremy Westlake said the headquarters would create a “centre of excellence which will play a key role in the future of the entire railway industry”.
DfTO chief executive Alex Hynes said the journey towards GBR is accelerating. “Derby shares a deep and rich connection with our rail industry,” he said. “As momentum builds towards GBR, we will continue to work together with colleagues in the city and across industry, to build a better railway for everyone in Britain.”