The Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, has officially opened a state-of-the-art £200 million rail manufacturing factory in Goole, a move expected to transform the area.
The new Siemens Mobility facility will not only build new trains for the London Underground but also create hundreds of high-skilled jobs, contributing to both local and national economic growth.
A Transformative Investment for Goole
This impressive rail factory in East Yorkshire, described as a “world-class facility” by the Transport Secretary, has already created 700 high-skilled jobs, with even more to come.
The site will manufacture and assemble nearly 100 Piccadilly Line trains, which are set to improve London’s transport network with faster, more reliable services.
Additionally, Siemens has announced an additional £40 million for a Bogie Assembly and Service Centre, which will create up to 200 more jobs in Goole.
This centre will be critical in supporting the UK’s future rail infrastructure, as Siemens commits to assembling 80% of London’s new Piccadilly Line trains at the site.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh celebrated the factory’s opening, noting,
“This impressive, world-class facility will be transformational to Goole and its people, providing a boost to the region’s economy and supporting hundreds of skilled jobs.”
This marks a significant shift for the UK’s rail manufacturing industry, which has suffered from a stop-start investment pattern for years.
Boosting Regional and National Benefits
The opening of the factory is part of a larger government strategy to stimulate regional economic growth and support long-term infrastructure projects. As the UK continues to recover from economic challenges, this factory represents a major public and private sector collaboration aimed at revitalising the rail industry and attracting international investment.
In fact, the factory’s opening comes just ahead of the government’s International Investment Summit, where global businesses and investors will gather to discuss the UK’s future as a leading destination for investment.
This further underscores the government’s commitment to creating jobs and fostering growth through strategic industrial investments.
Sambit Banerjee, Joint CEO at Siemens Mobility, expressed pride in the project’s completion, saying,
“After more than a decade of tremendous dedication and hard work, we have officially opened our state-of-the-art Rail Village in Goole, which is testament to our commitment to the North of England.”
Cutting-Edge Piccadilly Line Trains
The first trains manufactured at the Goole facility are expected to hit the tracks on the London Underground’s Piccadilly Line next year. The new trains will offer increased capacity, better accessibility, and air-conditioning for a more comfortable journey.
With these upgrades, passengers can expect faster and more reliable services across one of the busiest Tube lines in London.
These new trains are part of Transport for London’s (TfL) broader plans to modernise its fleet, ensuring that London’s growing population continues to benefit from a world-class transport system.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, emphasised the wider significance, saying,
“This factory… will create up to 900 direct jobs and support another 1,700 in the supply chain, delivering great benefits to the wider UK economy.”
A New Era for UK Rail Manufacturing
The Goole factory represents a crucial turning point for the UK’s rail industry, which has long been caught in cycles of “boom-and-bust.”
The government, in partnership with private industry leaders like Siemens, is determined to end this cycle by providing long-term, stable investment in rail manufacturing. This marks the start of a more sustainable approach to rolling stock production, paving the way for future infrastructure improvements.
By creating a steady pipeline of jobs and modernising the country’s rail network, the Goole site will contribute to regional prosperity while simultaneously enhancing transport services for millions of Londoners.
As Louise Haigh puts it,
“For too long, the cycle of boom-and-bust has held back this sector… That’s why I am determined to put an end to the stop-start approach to investment.”
Economic Impact at a Glance
Below is a snapshot of the expected economic and employment benefits of the new Siemens factory in Goole:
Aspect |
Details |
|---|---|
| Total investment | £200 million |
| High-skilled jobs created | 700 (plus 200 more in future) |
| Additional Siemens investment | £40 million (for Bogie Centre) |
| Piccadilly Line trains produced | Almost 100 |
| Future Siemens UK train projects | 80% of Piccadilly Line trains |
Closing Thoughts
The opening of Siemens’ £200 million rail manufacturing factory in Goole signals a new chapter for both the UK’s rail industry and regional growth in East Yorkshire.
The factory will drive economic progress and support London’s vital transportation needs with hundreds of new jobs, cutting-edge train production, and continued investment.
As part of a broader government push to attract international investment, this facility highlights the potential for collaborative public-private initiatives to reshape the UK’s industrial landscape.
Sources: THX News, Department for Transport & The Rt Hon Louise Haigh MP.
