Derby for Great British Railway Headquarters – The past, the present, the future…
The next two weeks are crucial in our push to ensure that Derby is crowned with the Great British Railway Headquarters. Derby was the founding father of the industrial revolution and was once home to one of Britain’s largest railway stations. Derby is the past, present, and the future of the rail industry.
The past - Whether you are traveling north or south, you can’t have failed to witness the multi-coloured glass, landscape entrances, and historic brick buildings that makeup Derby College’s Pride Park campus – the complex that showcases the long-standing history of rail in the city. Built-in 1839 adjacent to the station as the UK rail network started to develop across the country, the Derby Roundhouse is a vibrant symbol of how interwoven rail has been in the DNA of Derby. It is the oldest surviving roundhouse in the world, showcasing the leading historical legacy that Derby holds.
The present - Derby isn’t just the past, it is still the significant leader in the rail industry today. From thriving supply chains to industry giants connecting the rail, automotive, and aviation sectors. We are a city of local and national innovation. From being the home of 11,000 highly skilled employees to leading rail businesses and to national technological advancements like the Elizabeth Line, in which Derby designed and built the Class 345 trains, which went into service on the new Crossrail service earlier this year. The city of Derby is unrivalled in its potential for rail breakthroughs that will continue to revolutionise the industry.
Now on to the future - This opportunity that could come to our city offers the Great British Railway and the country our talented workforce, which is currently at the forefront of British train production and supported by a rich 200-year legacy as the centre of the rail industry in Britain. In return, the GBR HQ can ‘level up’ Derby and the Midlands, diversifying and strengthening the local economy. I am incredibly grateful for the fantastic support this campaign has received from local figures and businesses and I equally hope that you have enjoyed scanning my t-shirt whilst I’ve been out in Derby. The final decision on the location of the Great British Railway Headquarters will be put out to a public vote, so it is up to us to make sure that Derby is named the new home of the GBR HQ.
To vote you need to go to the GBR Headquarters vote webpage and click Vote now. Upon clicking vote, you will need to click the box next to the destination you want to vote for and enter your postcode, followed by an email address if you wish to receive a PDF copy of your vote.
