Doncaster to become High Speed Rail hub

Lakeside has been confirmed as the location for the national High Speed Rail College in Doncaster.

Mayor Ros Jones and her Cabinet this week agreed that the site at Carolina Way is ready for a High Speed Rail College.

Over 200 rail and engineering businesses are based in Doncaster and the Sheffield City Region with many world leading firms including Volker Rail, Network Rail, DB Schenker, SPL Powerlines, Unipart Rail, Wabtec, Rhomberg Sersa and the new £70 million Hitachi rail maintenance facility already based in and around Lakeside.

A recent study by the National Skills Academy for Rail Engineering (NSARE) showed the rail industry needs about 1,000 apprentice engineers a year and no more than 600 a year are being created. This gap will be exacerbated by HS2.

Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones said: “We fought hard to bring the National High Speed Rail College to Doncaster and it will be one of the most important investments in the borough for many years, providing fantastic opportunities for local people to secure highly skilled, well-paid engineering and manufacturing jobs.”

“We plan to develop a rail and engineering campus at Lakeside which encourages further specialist training provision and links in with our schools and colleges so there are clear pathways for our young people into long lasting and rewarding careers. This really is a game changer for Doncaster.”

“The College will be the fulcrum for substantial growth in the rail and associated sectors, delivering far-reaching economic benefits for Doncaster, the Sheffield City Region, Yorkshire, the North-East and beyond,”

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