photo: Siemens mobility press materials/Illustrative picture
Sixty years since many of Britain’s railway lines and train stations were closed following the infamous Beeching Review. Siemens Mobility’s Chippenham factory will manufacture the innovative technology which will be used at the soon-to-be re-opened Northumberland Line.
MP for Chippenham, Michelle Donelan, said: “This Government has invested more in rail than any Government since the Victorian era, to connect businesses, people and our towns which is a key part of our levelling up agenda. I have submitted successful bids to the Restoring your Railway Fund for Corsham Station. the reopening of the Northumberland Line under this Government scheme also delivers for my constituents by supporting jobs at Siemens Mobility here in Chippenham who have been awarded the contract to provide pioneering technology for the new Northumberland line. This is great news for technology and innovation and Chippenham's economy.”
The solution is designed and manufactured in Britain, bringing jobs locally and long term as there is more projects like this on the way.
The Northumberland Line’s signalling system will be manufactured and tested by Siemens Mobility in Chippenham, Wiltshire, home to the UK’s only remaining dedicated signalling and control facility. It supports around 900 local manufacturing, research, engineering and support staff and, as well as serving the domestic market, exports around 25% of all equipment produced.
Rob Morris, Managing Director, Rail Infrastructure for Siemens Mobility said: “The new Northumberland Line is a great example of levelling up in action. We are proud to help the Government and Network Rail roll-back the Beeching cuts to upgrade and reopen lines more quickly. This will provide better and more efficient transport links to improve the lives of people across the region.”
Siemens Mobility is responsible for the design and delivery of all telecoms, lineside infrastructure and power upgrades. They will also be installing or upgrading 8 level crossings as well as new workstations at Tyneside IECC.
To support decarbonisation targets and lower costs lightweight structures and simple bases are planned to be used together with digital and network-based technology. Six new stations are expected to be constructed to stimulate economic growth along the route, subject to planning permission.
Source: Siemens UK press releases