‘It is a superb example of how industry can drive economic growth and positive social impact’
The Member of Parliament for Bridlington and The Wolds, Charlie Dewhirst, has visited the Siemens Mobility Goole Rail Village. The Conservative Party MP received a tour of the site, where he praised the “spectacular” plant.
The state-of-the-art rail manufacturing factory was officially opened a year ago, in October 2024, and was described at the time as a “world class facility” which “will be transformational to Goole and its people” by the then Transport Secretary Louise Haigh. One year in, the £200m facility is already assembling the next generation of the London Underground’s Piccadilly Line trains and is ready to deliver new Bakerloo Line trains too, projects crucial for modernising London travel and securing skilled jobs in East Yorkshire.
The former East Riding Councillor, Mr Dewhirst was elected as Bridlington and The Wolds MP in the 2024 General Election, securing 34.6% of votes. Prior to becoming an MP he sat on East Riding Council, representing the East Wolds and Coastal ward.
During his tour Mr Dewhirst heard about the extensive outreach efforts to inspire young people into engineering careers through attendance at school and college events, including the popular Primary Engineer programme where students design and build model trains. The MP also heard about the site’s commitment to developing a diverse and skilled workforce, with more than 40 apprentices currently developing careers in manufacturing and engineering.
Mr Dewhirst was particularly interested in Siemens Mobility’s innovative battery bi-mode trains. These trains have the potential to eliminate the need for new diesel passenger trains, offering a solution for the UK’s extensive unelectrified routes in areas where it isn’t practical to electrify any time soon. This technology, already proven and operational in Germany, could save Britain £3.5 billion over 35 years and reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 12 million tonnes.
The MP said: “Thank you to Siemens for hosting me and showcasing their spectacular train manufacturing plant in Goole – a fantastic example of the private sector investment into the East Riding of Yorkshire in recent years, creating jobs for people from across the region. It is a superb example of how industry can drive economic growth and positive social impact, from supporting local families to pioneering sustainable rail solutions on our network.”
Niraj Sondhi, Commercial Director of Siemens Mobility’s Goole Rail Village, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Charlie Dewhirst MP and share the incredible story of our Goole Rail Village. We are deeply committed to being a positive force in the community, not just through the jobs and economic opportunities we create, but also through our extensive social and educational programs. Our ambition extends to transforming UK rail with our battery bi-mode technology, offering a sustainable and economically viable path forward for our national network, and we are proud that Goole is at the heart of this innovation.”
In addition to the Rail Village which has recently arrived in Goole, the town is also set become home to another major manufacturing site. The Finnish firm, Metsä, was recently given the green light to create the UK’s biggest tissue paper mill at Humber Freeport, creating more than 450 jobs in the town.
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