Siemens reveals plans to develop £100 million rail centre in Chippenham

04 March 2024 , 14:55

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Engineering giant Siemens has announced plans to replace its rail factory in Wiltshire with a new facility (Image: No credit)

Siemens has revealed a plan for a new £100 million rail centre in Chippenham to replace its old rail factory in Wiltshire.

Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, visited the site on Monday and said the investment was "a big boost". The Siemens factory has been making signals and controls since the Victorian era. All 800 people who work there now will move to the new location.

It should be ready by 2026 and will make new train systems that use computers and digital railway systems. Mr Hunt said: "This new commitment from Siemens is a big boost for Britain's world-class manufacturing sector and shows our plan for the UK to be the best place to invest and grow a business is working.

"This digital technology will improve the safety, reliability and connectivity of our railways and drive sustainable opportunities in higher-paid jobs and exports as part of our plan to grow our economy."

Rob Morris, who helps run Siemens Mobility in the UK and Ireland, said: "This 115 million euro (£98 million) investment is a strong commitment to Chippenham and our country. Siemens Mobility's Chippenham site, along with our 30 sites across the country, has been transforming rail, travel and transport in Britain and it will continue to do so with cloud-based rail technology connecting the real and the digital worlds, digitalising rail."

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"We are very excited to soon start construction of one of the most sophisticated rail factories, digital engineering and R&D (research and development) sites in the UK, supporting local jobs and skills for the future. There's a piece of Britain in everything we build."

Lawrence Matheson