Member Article

Business leaders back Doncaster HS2 college bid

Business leaders have backed a new campaign aiming to bring the new HS2 rail training academy to Doncaster, creating jobs and growth across Doncaster, the Sheffield City Region and further afield.

The borough has been put forward by the Sheffield City Region to be the location for this new college given its strong railway heritage and unique cluster of rail engineering companies in the UK.

Peter Dale, director of regeneration and environment, said: “I am delighted that partners across the city region have backed our ambition to have this HS2 rail training academy in Doncaster.

“Our town is world renowned for its railway history and has impressive industry credentials to support the bid for the HS2 rail college.”

In Doncaster 3,000 people are employed directly in national and international rail companies, including companies from the USA, France and Germany. There are 15 major rail companies with operations in Doncaster - including Wabtec Rail, Volker Rail and Unipart Rail with a further 197 engineering companies based within the area.

James Newman, chairman of the Sheffield City Region LEP, said: “We hope that the collective confidence shown by local leaders from across the private and public sectors to bring the main hub to Doncaster will help Government to make the right choice.

“The LEP is committed to maximising the benefits of HS2 and this proposal complements our Strategic Economic Plan which aims to bring a rail engineering training academy to the City Region.”

Phil Harris, CEO of Doncaster Chamber, said: “A rail college could be another game changer for the borough, consequently the bid has the chamber’s full support.

“The college will provide an opportunity to square that circle and, additionally, to create jobs for Doncaster people and support the growth of local firms in the sector.”

The decision is due early June 2014.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .