Leeds construction company granted £40m rail site contract by London transport firm

A London railway company has announced that it has chosen a Yorkshire construction group to create a new £40m rail manufacturing site.

Siemens Mobility has commissioned Leeds construction company GMI to build its new rail manufacturing site in Goole.

The £40m contract will see GMI create the main facility as well as the four and a half kilometres of rail track needed for connection to the main railway line.

This is part of the first phase of investment in Siemens Mobility’s new £200m train manufacturing plant and rail supply chain village.

Prime minister Boris Johnson commented: “I am delighted to see the huge strides that have been made by Siemens Mobility since I visited their site in Goole last summer.

“As they develop the state-of-the-art rail facility, their commitment to invest in local suppliers – boosting jobs and unlocking growth in Yorkshire – is a fantastic example of how we can level up across the country and build back better from the pandemic.”

Powerhouse minister Grant Shapps said: “The North is the birthplace of our railways, with a rich history of manufacturing excellence, so it is fitting that the £40 million contract to build the UK’s newest train factory has been awarded to a Yorkshire company.

“This will create new skilled jobs in Goole, boost local supply chains and generate long-term investment - welcome news as we work to level up communities across the North and build back better from the pandemic.”

Sambit Banerjee, managing director of Siemens Mobility rolling stock & customer services, added: “Our goal is to really put Goole on the map. We want to create more than just a rail manufacturing factory, this is about generating long-term investment, skills and jobs.”

“We are actively looking for as many UK suppliers as possible to contribute to Goole’s success.

“The appointment of GMI as main contractor, with shared values and growth ambitions for the local area, is a clear step in the right direction. Together we will make this an important and sustainable rail centre of excellence for the future.”