Plan to make Shrub Hill rail HQ is derailed as station snubbed for public vote - The Worcester Observer

Plan to make Shrub Hill rail HQ is derailed as station snubbed for public vote

Worcester Editorial 16th Jul, 2022   0

WORCESTER’S bid to bring the new headquarters of the new Great British Railways body to the historic Shrub Hill area has hit the buffers after the city failed to make the public vote.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed Birmingham, Crewe, Derby, Doncaster, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and York will compete for the honour of being crowned the home of Britain’s railways.

Great British Railways (GBR) will own the country’s rail infrastructure, collect fare revenue and plan fares and timetables.

Worcester was one of 42 towns and cities to express an interest in hosting the new, national rail hub and Worcestershire County Council’s bid had won support from Worcester City Council and the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (WLEP).




It was backed by all six county MPs, Lord Faulkner of Worcester, who is chair of the North Cotswold Line Task Force, the Worcestershire Rail User Group Association and the Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership.

The plan focused on the transformation of the historic Shrub Hill Quarter which has the 1850-built railway station at its heart.


But Worcester has been snubbed for the public vote, which will play a crucial role in determining the chosen location.

Members of the public can choose the town or city they think makes the best case for this prestigious honour online with the final decision made by the Transport Secretary later this year

Mr Shapps said:  “Our world-leading railways have served this country well for 200 years and this is a huge step in the reforms, which will shape our network for the next 200.

“Great British Railways will create a truly sustainable, modern and fair railway network for passengers and freight customers.

Leader of the Great British Railways transition team, Andrew Haines, said: “Since the competition was launched it has been great to see the interest from towns and cities across Britain who believe GBR’s home should be with them.

“I am really looking forward to the next step and seeing which town or city has the honour of being the home for GBR. Good luck to the final six.”

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