A BID is being launched to bring the home of the Great British Railway HQ to Newton-le-Willows.

The government intends for the headquarters of Great British Railways (GBR) to be based outside of London to support their economic levelling up agenda. 

St Helens Borough Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) have confirmed they are leading the bid and have submitted an expression of interest to the Government to host the HQ at the site of the Parkside development in Newton-le-Willows, close to Winwick.

The government will now draw up a shortlist to be announced in May, before a public vote will be held to give people the opportunity to show their support for their preferred location. 

As part of the criteria which the Government will use to choose the shortlist there is a call for public support of each bid, so the public and businesses across Warrington are being called upon to add their voice and get behind the bid. 

St Helens Borough Council, said: “Bringing the Great British Railways HQ to Newton-le-Willows would be a huge boost for our economy, bringing quality jobs and opportunities for local businesses to support and benefit from this new national organisation.

“Warrington is a key area for support with its national rail links on the West Coast Mainline and bringing the headquarters to Newton-le-Willows will have a positive impact on the town with the potential for further rail sector developments.

“We have already had support from major rail industry backers and others who already call the region their home and now we want the public to get behind this bid to bring investment, jobs, and recognition of our borough’s significant role in rail heritage through a successful bid.” 

The bid plays on the region’s rail heritage, that includes forming part of the first passenger railway almost 200 years ago, Earlestown Station being the oldest station building still in use in the world, and the significant industry at both the Vulcan and Viaduct works in Newton-le-Willows and Earlestown that created locomotives for the world over. 

The region also plays an integral role in current railway infrastructure with a strong rail industry cluster of organisations based in the area including Alstom, Stadler, Northern, Rock Rail & Road, RS Clare and Unipart Dorman. 

To add your support please visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/GBRHQ and fill in the survey. With Government shortlisting sites in May please do not delay and show your support straight away.