Leeds confirmed as site of HS2 Eastern Leg Rolling Stock Depot
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Transport Secretary confirms depot to maintain and service high
speed trains will be constructed east of Leeds after a public
consultation Leeds Council, the University of Leeds, the West
Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Enterprise Partnership
all welcome news of the depot HS2 will see Yorkshire become a
thriving hub for training future engineers The Government has
confirmed that the new HS2 Rolling Stock depot will be...Request free trial
The Government has confirmed that the new HS2 Rolling Stock depot will be constructed in Leeds, driving forward local regeneration and creating up to 125 skilled jobs, ensuring Yorkshire benefits from the arrival of HS2. With a crucial role in enabling 24-hour maintenance of the brand new high-speed trains, set to deliver faster journeys for passengers on the East Coast mainline, the depot will act as a catalyst for prosperity and productivity on the enterprise zone site and will attract new investment for the region. The new site builds upon HS2’s commitment to create more than 100,000 new jobs and 2,000 apprentices, with the National Colleges for High Speed Rail in Doncaster and Birmingham able to train 1,200 students a year at full capacity. In addition, the University of Leeds’ new Institute for High Speed Rail and System Integration will train postgraduate engineers through MSc and PhD places, helping to provide a flow of skilled experts into the industry. Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary, said: “Constructing this vital depot in Leeds underlines how the benefits of HS2 drive prosperity right across the UK, with Yorkshire playing a crucial role in maintaining the new high speed trains and delivering significantly better journeys for passengers. “The depot will act as an economic catalyst, creating skilled jobs, boosting the local economy by unlocking regeneration opportunities and driving continued investment. “This ensures Leeds will not only see immediate benefits when HS2 arrives but will see Yorkshire become a thriving hub for training the engineers that HS2 and future major projects will need.” The arrival of HS2 in Leeds will also be vital to the success of the South Bank redevelopment, one of the largest proposed regeneration projects in Europe, which could provide 12,000 new homes and support up to 40,000 jobs across the City Region. Professor Lisa Roberts, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation at the University of Leeds said:
“The location of the HS2 Rolling Stock Depot, combined with the new advanced testing facilities to be built as part of the University’s Institute for High Speed Rail and System Integration are a significant step forward for UK high speed rail capability.
“They position Leeds City Region as a global centre for high speed rail research and development, so we’re working closely with HS2 to ensure our facilities are aligned with its needs and those of industry, so all sides can deliver for the country.”
The chosen location for the depot reflects proposals put forward
during a public consultation on the site, and will help ensure
HS2 has fewer environmental impacts in the region by reducing the
distance empty trains travel to and from Leeds station for
overnight stabling. Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council, said; “I welcome the news that the HS2 depot will be located at Gateway 45 in Leeds. “It’s now important that through our continued work with HS2 and the Department for Transport that we finalise the proposals for the University of Leeds’ Institute for High Speed Rail, which will be world leading in its field, and underpin the continued success of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone. “Taken together, both of these facilities located at Gateway 45 will make Leeds and the region a global centre for advanced rail and high speed technology, further strengthening the economy. “Leeds City Council are already working with our partners across Leeds City Region to ensure that people will have the right skills and be ready to take advantage of the skilled jobs and other opportunities these developments will bring.” Ends Editor’s notes § HS2 will transform journeys, increasing capacity for commuter and freight services, and reducing journey times between Leeds and London from 2 hours 11 minutes to 1 hour 21 minutes. § A consultation to seek the public’s views on the location of the Eastern Leg Rolling Stock Depot was held by the government and ran from July 2017 to October 2017.
Additional quotes for use:
Paul Griffiths, Phase Two Managing Director, HS2 Ltd said:
“This confirmation that the region is set to benefit even further from HS2 is a significant boost for Yorkshire’s economic prosperity and lays the foundations for wider investment in the enterprise zone site.
“Yorkshire’s proud railway heritage will continue as local people play a key role in the maintenance and delivery of high speed rail.
“The announcement also highlights the important role that feedback from communities in Crofton has played in determining the best overall design for the railway.”
Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, said:
“The rolling stock depot will bring skilled jobs to the Leeds City Region and be a key part of our ambition to be an international centre of excellence in light and high speed rail skills as we seek to maximise the benefits of this investment.
“We want to work with HS2 and the Department for Transport to agree the details of this proposal as swiftly as possible to ensure they are consistent with our wider ambitions for the Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone and to provide certainty for businesses.”
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