LEP statement on High Speed Rail College shortlist

13.06.14

The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has made the following statement in response to today’s announcement by government on the shortlist for the location of the new High Speed Rail College:

The LEP extends its warm congratulations to the locations that have made the shortlist to host the High Speed Rail College – and especially to our northern neighbours, Manchester and Doncaster.

While we are naturally disappointed that neither of the two strong bids to bring the Rail College to Leeds City Region has been successful, this region will nevertheless play a critical role in delivering high-speed rail for the nation. We have one of the largest clusters of rail-related employment in the country, important industry strengths in the engineering, construction and manufacturing sectors that will supply and build the high speed rail line, and are strategically located on the proposed HS2 eastern route. That is why maximising the potential of this major national investment remains a core pillar of our Strategic Economic Plan.

We have already agreed with Manchester that, if their bid is successful, we will work in partnership with them as part of a northern ‘hub and spoke’ network to ensure the City Region’s significant strengths are brought to the table in making the new College a success. We are also committed to building links with the other locations still in the running, so that that businesses and young people in our City Region benefit fully from the specialist training the High Speed Rail College will provide.