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Ex-Deputy PM John Prescott backs Doncaster rail college bid

Former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is the latest high profile figure to endorse Doncaster’s High Speed Rail College bid.

John Prescott who wants to Create opportunity in the North said: “I hope the Government supports Yorkshire and Humber’s bid to put the £150 million High Speed Rail College in Doncaster.

“The Centre for Rail Engineering And Technical Excellence - or CREATE – would help provide growing firms with the skilled local staff they’re crying out for.

“The decision rests with the Government. So come on, help create a bright future in Yorkshire and the Humber and put us on the fast track to success by making Doncaster your final stop.”

Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “John Prescott is another well informed figure to recognise the merits of basing the High Speed Rail College in Yorkshire. The level of support we have received to bring this research and training centre to Doncaster has been nothing short of staggering.

“Basing it in the region will help rebalance the economy by acting as a catalyst for all the rail and engineering companies located across the North-East, and within touching distance of Doncaster, to flourish.

“The Government simply has to take notice of such widespread and important support.”

CREATE is a private sector led bid coordinated by Doncaster Council and supported by Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership. LEPs from across the North-East, a host of business leaders and partners, numerous universities and colleges and chambers of commerce and local authorities from across the region have gone on record as backing the bid.

An advisory group consisting of representatives from Crossrail, HS2 Limited, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills and the Department for Transport is expected to make a decision in the autumn.

Doncaster is up against Birmingham, Derby and Manchester for the research and teaching centre.

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