Siemens Mobility‘s £240 million investment in Goole took centre stage this week as senior figures from government, industry and local authorities met to discuss how rail investment can support economic growth, skills development and improved connectivity across Yorkshire and the Humber.
The visit to the Goole Rail Village was led by Alex Hynes, Chief Executive of DfT Operator, and formed part of a wider programme hosted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Representatives from the Hull & East Yorkshire Combined Authority, the Office for Investment and the Department for Business and Trade also took part in discussions on the region’s future transport and economic ambitions.
The event highlighted the growing strategic importance of the Goole Rail Village, which combines train manufacturing, component overhaul and digital fleet monitoring, with a new bogie service centre due to open later this year.
Once fully operational, the site is expected to support up to 1,000 direct jobs and create around 1,700 opportunities throughout the supply chain, strengthening Britain’s rail manufacturing capability while supporting the regional economy.
During the visit, delegates toured the manufacturing facility, component overhaul operations and Siemens Mobility’s digital operations centre, which remotely monitors the performance of its UK train fleets to improve reliability and operational efficiency.
The discussions also come at an important point for the rail industry, with the Government preparing to publish its first integrated rolling stock and infrastructure strategy in more than three decades as part of the transition to Great British Railways.
Alex Hynes said collaboration between government and manufacturers would be critical in shaping the future railway.
“Siemens’ world-class facility has been transformational for Goole, driving regional economic growth and creating hundreds of skilled jobs,” he said.
“As we prepare to publish the first long-term integrated rolling stock and infrastructure strategy in over 30 years, working collaboratively with manufacturers, like Siemens, will be vital in determining our future rolling stock requirements under Great British Railways.
“Together with other industry partners, passengers will be at the heart of the strategy as we strive to deliver a modern, accessible, comfortable and sustainable national fleet that delivers a better railway for everyone in Britain.”
Aglaja Schneider, Joint CEO and Managing Director for Rolling Stock and Customer Services at Siemens Mobility UK & Ireland, said the investment demonstrated the company’s long-term commitment to the UK rail sector.
“I was delighted to welcome Alex, Anne and regional stakeholders to Goole and showcase the role rail investment can play in supporting economic growth, connectivity and opportunity across Yorkshire and the Humber,” she said.
“Our investment in Goole reflects Siemens Mobility’s long-term commitment to Britain’s railway. By bringing together manufacturing, customer services and digital technologies, we are helping to strengthen UK rail capability, improve performance and reliability, and develop the skilled workforce needed for the future railway.
“Today’s discussions reinforced the importance of long-term investment and collaboration between industry, government and regional partners to support sustainable growth and a better-connected region.”
The visit concluded with a roundtable discussion focused on improving transport connectivity, attracting further investment and ensuring the region develops the skills required to support future growth.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council Leader Councillor Anne Handley said the Goole Rail Village had become a major driver of economic development within the region.
“Siemens Mobility’s investment in Goole is creating high-quality jobs, developing skills and strengthening the local economy,” she said.
“The Goole Rail Village is a strong example of how investment, innovation and collaboration can support long-term growth and opportunity across East Yorkshire and the Humber.
“Strong transport connectivity is essential to attracting investment, supporting businesses and ensuring local communities can benefit from the opportunities being created across our region.”
The visit underlines the growing role of Goole as one of the UK’s newest rail manufacturing hubs, with investment extending beyond train production into digital technology, maintenance capability and workforce development. It also reflects the wider emphasis being placed on long-term collaboration between government, industry and regional partners as Great British Railways prepares to shape the future of the UK’s rolling stock strategy.
