Lee Pitcher MP, Member of Parliament for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, recently visited Siemens Mobility’s Rail Village in Goole, East Yorkshire. The facility is a significant investment in the region, with up to £240 million being spent to create up to 1,000 direct jobs and around 1,700 across the supply chain. The site is already producing new Piccadilly line trains for London and is expected to produce new Bakerloo line trains and battery bi-mode trains, which will transform rail travel in the UK.
During the visit, Lee Pitcher MP was impressed by the facility’s commitment to developing a diverse and skilled workforce, with over 40 apprentices currently training in manufacturing and engineering. He also learned about the site’s initiatives to promote gender diversity in STEM and its various employee resource groups. The MP was particularly interested in Siemens Mobility’s plan to assemble future battery bi-mode train orders for the UK, which could eliminate the need for new diesel passenger trains and reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 12 million tonnes over 35 years.
The battery bi-mode trains have the potential to save Britain £3.5 billion over 35 years and offer a solution for the UK’s extensive unelectrified routes. The technology has already been proven and operational in Germany, and the Goole facility is well-placed to assemble these trains, securing skilled jobs in East Yorkshire. The facility is currently assembling 80% of the next generation of Piccadilly line trains, and the intention is to assemble future battery bi-mode train orders for the UK at the same site.
Niraj Sondhi, Commercial Director at Siemens Mobility, expressed his pleasure at hosting Lee Pitcher MP and highlighted the company’s commitment to boosting regional prosperity and transforming rail travel and transport. The Rail Village is a significant contributor to local employment, offering jobs, apprenticeships, and training for local people. The site comprises a train manufacturing facility, components facility, logistics and distribution centre, and a brand-new bogie assembly and service centre, which is currently under construction.
Overall, the visit underscored the importance of the Siemens Mobility’s investment in the region and its potential to drive economic growth and create skilled jobs in East Yorkshire. The company’s commitment to developing a diverse and skilled workforce, as well as its focus on sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies, aligns with the MP’s support for net-zero and rail connectivity. The visit highlighted the potential for the Rail Village to become a hub for innovation and economic growth in the region, and the MP’s support for the facility is a testament to its importance to the local community.