Member Article

Multi-million pound opportunities for Doncaster's rail and engineering firms

Millions of pounds of potential business for Doncaster rail and infrastructure are on offer according to the Doncaster Rail Partnership.

Over 50 people from rail and engineering firms from across Doncaster were able to access some of the biggest rail and infrastructure projects in the country.

VolkerFitzpatrick, the contractor behind the delivery of the £70 million Hitachi maintenance depot in Doncaster, showcased contract opportunities and Robert Bell, of Archomai outlined emerging opportunities in the North at a meeting of the Partnership.

This private sector rail partnership, coordinated by Doncaster Council, set up the Centre for Rail Engineering And Technical Excellence (CREATE) which is bidding to bring the High Speed Rail College to Yorkshire.

Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said: “CREATE and this unique rail partnership is a perfect example of the private and public sectors coming together to foster important relationships and supply chain opportunities.

“We have a thriving rail and engineering sector and these ‘meet the buyer’ events are an ideal way for firms to find out about potential contracts and network with key players in the industry.”

“Doncaster is pulling out all the stops to bring the High Speed Rail College to the Sheffield City Region. It will be a huge boost for firms right across Yorkshire and the North-East if we are successful.”

Ian Knowles, transformation director at Amey Sersa, commented: “We have recently set up in Doncaster after winning a large Network Rail contract and see the town as a prime location for our UK operations.

“This was a great opportunity to establish ourselves and meet key contacts from major players in the rail industry based right here in Doncaster.”

Robert Bell, CEO, Archomai, commenting on the Doncaster Rail Partnership said: “I welcomed the opportunity to outline some of the global developments that will bring opportunities on a massive scale for businesses in the North through the opening and expansion of trading corridors.

“CREATE is in an excellent position to be a knowledge hub for emerging technologies in rail and supporting trade corridors worldwide.”

Doncaster’s High Speed Rail College bid has the support of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, other LEPs from across the North-East, high profile business leaders and partners, universities and colleges, Yorkshire’s chambers of commerce and local authorities from across the region. 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 shortly.

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

More information on CREATE and the High Speed Rail College bid is available at: www.businessdoncaster.com

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