A HOST of skilled jobs and links to existing rail facilities is on the cards if Durham was to land the Great British Railway HQ project later this year after the city was announced as one of 42 UK locations that have launched their official bids.

Since the start of the year towns and cities across the length and breadth of the country have thrown their hat into the ring to become the new home of Great British Railways.

In February, locations across the country with strong historical links to the railway were encouraged to make the case for why they should be the new home of GBR.

Read more: Full steam ahead for Durham's bid for national rail HQ

The deadline for expressions of interest passed last Wednesday (March 16), with applications received from the north, south, east, and west of the country, including one from Durham City and another from Darlington.

Now that the bid submission from Durham has been received, Durham County Council has confirmed that its proposal would boost the economy and bring countless jobs to the area.

Alongside the economic benefits, the county authority has also pledged to link this scheme with Locomotion in Shildon, Hitachi in Newton Aycliffe, which secured a HS2 deal at the end of last year and pairing it with its City of Culture 2025 bid, which saw it shortlisted into the final four on Friday.  

The Northern Echo: Durham County Council have pledged to link the Great British Railways HQ project with the City of Culture bid, as well as schemes like Locomotion and Hitachi Rail. Picture: NORTHER ECHO.Durham County Council have pledged to link the Great British Railways HQ project with the City of Culture bid, as well as schemes like Locomotion and Hitachi Rail. Picture: NORTHER ECHO.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for County Durham which would further cement our historic links to the rail industry.

“Being named the new home of Great British Railways would bring more skilled jobs to the county, delivering a significant boost to the local economy in the process.

"While there is no doubt for us that County Durham would provide a worthy home for the rail industry, we have specifically submitted our bid as we believe it links perfectly with our aspiration to secure the title of UK City of Culture 2025.

The Northern Echo: Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for economy and partnerships. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for economy and partnerships. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.

Cllr Scott added: “Success in both would enable us to further showcase our illustrious rail heritage, especially as we celebrate the bicentenary of the railways in 2025, with Locomotion in Shildon showcasing our role as pioneers of the railway.

“Hitachi in Newton Aycliffe meanwhile is a major employer with its local supply chain, illustrating how important the county is to the railway of the future.

“Having now made it to the shortlist for UK City of Culture, we are confident that what we have to offer here in County Durham would make us the ideal location for home of Great British Railways."

The Northern Echo: Hitachi Rail and its contract to build HS2 trains will be 'vital' to the HQ bid, according to Durham County Council. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.Hitachi Rail and its contract to build HS2 trains will be 'vital' to the HQ bid, according to Durham County Council. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.

With Durham City’s bid submitted, the Great British Railways Transition Team, which is leading the design of the future GBR, will now review each expression of interest as part of a rigorous assessment process before publishing a shortlist in May.

The public will then have their say with an online vote forming part of the criteria to help identify the new home for Great British Railways. The winner will be revealed this summer.

As part of the Government’s commitment to level-up the UK, and following the publication of the Levelling Up white paper, the new GBR Headquarters will be based outside of London and bring a number of high-skilled jobs to the winning location.

The Northern Echo: Durham's bid is one of 42 that will be considered for the HQ competition. Further details will be released about the shortlist in May. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.Durham's bid is one of 42 that will be considered for the HQ competition. Further details will be released about the shortlist in May. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.

Local economies will be further boosted by a number of new regional GBR headquarters across the country, putting decision-making and investment at the heart of the communities that use those railways day-to-day.

Applications will be measured against six criteria: alignment to levelling up objectives, connected and easy to get to, opportunities for GBR, railway heritage and links to the network, value for money and public support.

City of Durham MP, Mary Kelly Foy, added: "I wrote to Durham County Council in February to make my views clear that the City would be an ideal location for the new Great British Railways Headquarters, and that the local authority would have my full support in seeking to secure this investment, and bring these jobs to Durham.

"It is fantastic that the Department for Transport have acknowledged Durham City's application. We face stiff competition from a variety of other towns and cities, but few can match Durham's railway heritage, connectivity or splendour. 

"I really hope that this is the first step towards bringing this investment to our city.”

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