Boris Johnson has called Crewe a “strong contender” in its quest to become the seat of the government’s new national railroad agency.
His comments came during the Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday (December 15) after he was questioned by Crewe and Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan about the future Great British Railways base.
It came after both Dr. Mullan and the Cheshire East Council had supported calls for the new body to have a seat in Crewe, with the council currently preparing an official offer.
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During the PMQs, Dr. Mullan: “Does the Prime Minister believe me, after confirming the Crewe to Manchester route from HS2, winning an HS2 rolling stock contract for Alstom’s Crewe facility and Crewe’s long history at the heart of our rail industry? That Crewe is a strong one Is a contender for the position of Great British Railways Headquarters and can he tell me when the process of selecting the location of the new Headquarters will begin? “
In response, the Prime Minister said, “My instructions say that I have to be very careful with what I say. I have no doubt that Crewe is a strong contender, but more details of the competition will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during Prime Minister’s Questions
(Image: PA)
“I know expressions of interest from places like Crewe are very welcome.”
Earlier this year, Ministers announced the creation of Great British Railways, which will own the infrastructure, collect fare, operate and plan the network, and set most fares and timetables.
The Department of Transport then announced that a competition would be launched to find a city or town where the group’s national headquarters would be, with the promise that it would be outside of London.
Dr. Mullan wrote to Secretary of Transportation Grant Shapps following the announcement, referring to Crewe’s strong railroad heritage.
He said: “I cannot think of a better place than Crewe for the Great British Railways headquarters. Crewe as we know it was born out of the railroad and would be the perfect place for its future UK home.
HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson was greeted at Crewe Station by MP Kieran Mullan and Colette Carroll, Phase2a Director at HS2
(Image: HS2)
“I have already written to the Minister of Transport and will urge that Crewe win this. I am sure that the entire community will be behind it. “
The government recently confirmed in its integrated rail plan that the Crewe to Manchester route will be operated by HS2.
Then it was announced that Alstom’s Crewe factory would help build the new 200 mph bullet trains.
The bogies that house the wheelsets are assembled and serviced at Alstom’s West Street facility – for the first time since 2004, both operations were carried out in the UK.
The site formerly owned by Bombardier has not been used for the production of new trains since the early 1990s.
Cllr Craig Browne, Cheshire East Council Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Highways and Transportation Committee, said, “This announcement underscores the strength of the rail supply to Crewe and its highly skilled workforce, and we hope this contract will support many of the jobs expected Opportunities for the people in the city and in the wider district.
“Crewe already has an undeniably rich railroad heritage, but news like this will ensure its rail city status is cemented for generations to come.
“And as we await more information on the competition to find a national headquarters for the new Great British Railways public facility so that we can move forward with our offering, this announcement also reinforces our belief that Crewe is the absolute best and ideal location to do so . ”