Crewe has submitted a strong and ambitious bid to become the home of Great British Railways and bring a range of ‘levelling-up’ opportunities to the town. Earlier this week, Cheshire East Council and its Partners, submitted their expression of interest in Crewe becoming the location for the headquarters of the new public body, which will be in charge of the national railways.
The Partners congregated at Crewe Station earlier today to celebrate the launch of this important bid, together with Students from Cheshire College (South & West) and to reveal their chosen ‘strap line’; “Crewe at the heart of rail”!
Bringing GBR to Crewe will create a range of levelling up opportunities to the Town and help its rail sector to thrive. In addition the headquarters will benefit many surrounding areas due to Crewe’s strong transport connections to the rest of the country.
Crewe is a rail town through and through located at the heart of the rail network and with rail at the heart of the town. Crewe is rightly proud of its rail heritage and the role the town has played in the growth of the railways. It is one of the most connected interchanges in the country, connecting the nation and serving as a gateway for the North, meaning that the possibilities this headquarters brings can flow throughout the country.
Dr Kieran Mullan, MP for Crewe and Nantwich, said:
“I’d like to thank everyone involved in preparing this fantastic bid for Crewe to be the new home of Great British Railways. Few places in the country are more closely linked with the railway than Crewe and bringing the headquarters here will continue this proud tradition.
“As our rail industry continues to thrive, including our freight rail sector, here in Crewe. It’s important this essential sector can work closely with the Government and the headquarters being right here would ensure just that.
“We have direct rail links here to the likes of Edinburgh, Cardiff, Birmingham, Carlisle, London, Manchester and so many more – right at the heart of our rail network – so bringing GBR here would ensure it is at the heart as well.
“While we now face an anxious wait to see if we have been successful in being shortlisted, I know the public will get right behind us as we look to spread the word far and wide about why Crewe is right for GBR and GBR is right for Crewe.”
The current timeline will see an announcement on which areas have been shortlisted for hosting the GBR Headquarters that will be made in May, prior to a non-binding public vote and finally a decision that will be made in summer 2022.
#CreweAtTheHeartOfRail
