Industry leaders have gathered in East Yorkshire to underline the role of rail investment in driving regional growth, skills and connectivity, as Siemens Mobility hosted a high-profile visit to its Goole Rail Village.
Alex Hynes, Chief Executive of DfT Operator, visited the Goole Rail Village as part of a wider programme led by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, bringing together senior figures from across transport, government and business. The visit focused on unlocking economic growth and improving connectivity across Yorkshire and the Humber.
Hosted by Siemens Mobility alongside Cllr Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the event convened representatives from DfT Operator, Hull & East Yorkshire Combined Authority, the Office for Investment and the Department for Business and Trade. Discussions centred on collaboration, investment and the long-term opportunities for the region’s rail sector.
Speaking during the visit, Alex Hynes highlighted the strategic importance of Siemens Mobility’s investment in Goole and its broader impact on the UK rail industry.
“Siemens’ world-class facility has been transformational for Goole, driving regional economic growth and creating hundreds of skilled jobs.
“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.”
The visit provided an opportunity for Siemens Mobility to demonstrate the scale and ambition of its Goole Rail Village. Attendees toured the manufacturing facility, component overhaul operations and the digital operations centre, which monitors the company’s UK fleets to optimise reliability and performance.
The site is continuing to expand, with a new bogie service centre expected to open later this year, further enhancing end-to-end rolling stock capabilities in the UK.
Aglaja Schneider, Joint CEO and Managing Director, Rolling Stock and Customer Services at Siemens Mobility UK & Ireland, reinforced the organisation’s long-term commitment to the UK rail sector and regional development.
“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.
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.
The 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.”
With investment of up to £240 million, the Goole Rail Village is expected to support up to 1,000 direct jobs and approximately 1,700 roles across the wider supply chain. The development is positioned as a key driver of rail manufacturing resilience, skills development and economic growth across the North.
Cllr Anne Handley emphasised the importance of sustained investment in infrastructure and connectivity to support regional prosperity.
"Siemens Mobility's investment in Goole is creating high-quality jobs, developing skills and strengthening the local economy. 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 concluded with a roundtable hosted by Cllr Handley, where stakeholders explored future priorities around transport connectivity, skills development and inward investment, reinforcing the collective ambition to deliver a more connected and economically resilient Yorkshire and Humber region.
Image credits: Siemens
