Region’s MPs Unite to Back York for Great British Railways New HQ

MPs from across Yorkshire have joined forces to back York’s bid for the new Great British Railways Headquarters.

The Government is currently running a competition as part of its levelling-up agenda to establish the new home of British Railways outside London.  The selection process is being run by the Great British Railways Transition Team on behalf of the Department for Transport and towns and cities across the country can submit their bids.  

The bids will be shortlisted in May before a public consultation and a vote will take place later this year. The competition will seek to recognise places with a rich railway heritage and public support for the selected location. 

In the House of Commons Sir Greg joined a cross-party group of Yorkshire MPs backing York’s bid, including Andrew Jones MP (Con; Harrogate and Knaresborough), Sir Robert Goodwill MP (Con; Scarborough and Whitby), Kevin Hollinrake MP (Con; Thirsk and Malton), Rachael Maskell MP (Lab; York Central) and Julian Sturdy MP (Con; York Outer).

During the debate in the Commons, Sir Greg said: “there is an overwhelming case to make York the headquarters of Great British Railways”.

He adds: “The National Railway Museum is based in York, so the city is already the centre of our railway heritage. It therefore makes sense to make York the home of our railway future, as well as our past.” 

A decision is expected later this year.