York leaders from politics, business and education are rallying around the city’s bid to become the home to Great British Railways (GBR).
They are urging everyone to back York’s bid by voting for York here.
It is one of six cities vying for the new railway governing body.
The results of the vote will be used to measure the level of support for each place and will be considered as part of the Government’s final decision making.
To show their support, residents, visitors and businesses are encouraged to use the hashtags #DestinationGBR, #YorkGBRHQ and #Yes2York.
Here’s what leaders are saying:
Cllr Keith Aspden, City of York Council leader:
We know York is the obvious choice. We now need the public to throw their support behind our bid and vote to bring rail back home to York.
Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central:
Locating the HQ here, will not only cause our railway industry to thrive but turn it into a global rail super cluster. It will also open up new high skilled jobs and opportunities for North Yorkshire’s young workforce, and help not just level up the region, but enable the rest of the country to level up due to the focus a York-based headquarters will bring.
Julian Sturdy, MP for York Outer:
I firmly believe that the great British public will rally round York as the best choice to host this new national institution and encourage everyone in the local area and beyond to support York’s bid and take part in the online vote.
Laurence Beardmore, president of the York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce:
Bringing GBR to York will see the Government’s Levelling Up agenda being implemented and enables the city to play its full part in helping to reduce regional inequalities.
Andrew Morrison, chief executive officer of York Civic Trust:
Only York can offer a location that is built on such significant heritage uniquely coupled with a drive to move forward through some of the country’s most innovative railway technology companies.
Judith McNicol, director, National Railway Museum:
Making the shortlist is a big achievement, but we now need to come together, to get out and vote and make an overwhelming case for York to be the home of Great British Railways.
Lee Probert, chief executive and principal and York College:
This is a real opportunity to deepen our historic connection with the rail industry and to leverage the rich track record we have in designing and delivering rail education and skills, in support of future innovation in this great industry.
Adam Wardale, chair of the Hospitality Association York and general manager at Middletons Hotel:
York is the perfect place for the GBR HQ. The impact on the local economy as well as the impact to local opportunities and the effect on the hospitality industry would be enormous.
Helen Simpson, chair of York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership:
The York Central site can become a world leading rail cluster, driving growth and new opportunities, not just in York, but across the whole of the North.
Professor Karen Bryan, vice chancellor of York St John University:
We are delighted to support York’s bid as the new home for the Great British Railways HQ in recognition of the opportunities it offers for our community and beyond.
Tim Whitaker, principal of Askham Bryan College:
There is such potential mutual benefit for GBR, as a significant land owner, to work with us and our land based students and apprentices. Together we can create opportunities, develop a highly-skilled workforce, and deliver on many shared environmental sustainability goals.
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Carolyn Frank, development manager at the Federation of Small Business York & North Yorkshire
I am not at all surprised to see York shortlisted, it is the natural choice for GBR HQ, well connected, with superb rail heritage and a skilled workforce, as well as the rail industry embedded into the city vision and economic strategy.
Professor Charlie Jeffery, vice-chancellor of the University of York:
Locating GBR in York is great news not just for York, but also the wider regional economy – supporting the burgeoning cluster of rail tech industries across the region and opening up opportunities for some of the UK’s most disadvantaged communities.