Council submits bid to bring railways ‘home’ to Swindon

The Government is looking for a new headquarters outside London for Great British Railways (GBR), which will become the single, accountable body responsible for running Britain’s railways.

Locations across the country with strong historical links to the railway are encouraged to make the case for why they should be the new home of GBR.

The new central headquarters will be the heart of the rail network and provide strategic direction for the running of GBR.

Swindon’s rich railway heritage and its ambition for Great British Railways (GBR) to be at the centre of a world-leading rail cluster that will herald a new golden era for Britain’s railways, much like Brunel did 180 years ago, are important elements of the bid, which has cross-party support.

All bids will be measured against six key criteria, including considering how GBR will align with levelling up objectives, its location, opportunities for GBR and public support.

A short straw poll undertaken by the Council over the weekend showed almost a thousand people (95 per cent of respondents) were supportive of Swindon putting in a bid.

A number of local residents also submitted supportive comments in favour of the bid.

One wrote: “Because we are The Railway Town! Without the railway, there would be no Swindon. But it's not all about history. We also have a vibrant young workforce and great transport connections to the rest of the UK making us an ideal place for the new HQ.”

Another added: “Swindon has an amazing heritage in the railway industry, it is what made Swindon what it is today. It would be fitting to take this to the future as well.”

The GBR transition team will shortlist the best applications in May, after which a public vote will help determine the winning location.

Leader of the Council, Councillor David Renard, said: “The railways are part of Swindon’s DNA and I believe there is no better place for the new Great British Railways to have its headquarters.

“Our town is steeped in our railway heritage and we tick so many of the boxes the Government is looking for in the successful bid. We will be keeping our fingers crossed our entry is shortlisted and, if we are, we will be going all out to secure as much support as we can from the public vote.

“In the meantime, please spread the word with family members, friends and colleagues because we will need everyone’s help to bring the railways back to its rightful home here in Swindon.”

Councillor Jim Grant, Leader of the Labour Group, said: “Swindon’s unique railway heritage makes it the ideal candidate for the Great British Railways HQ.

“The town can offer a central location to act as a hub for the railways in a way none of the other competing towns can. We have history, culture, location and the facilities to do it.

“Swindon has a winning combination and has the full support of the Swindon Labour group. This can be a win for the town, and I am proud to say everyone I have spoken to is behind the Council on this. Swindon is behind this.”