10 February 2022
Vara calls for Peterborough to be the home for Great British Railways

Shailesh Vara MP has today called for Peterborough to be the home for the new national headquarters of Great British Railways. This follows the recent announcement by Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Transport, to hold a competition inviting towns and cities across the country to apply for Great British Railways’ new headquarters to be located in their area.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Vara said that his constituency of North West Cambridgeshire includes the southern half of the city of Peterborough and that he was in no doubt that the city would be the ideal location for the new headquarters.

Mr Vara asked the Leader of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP, for a debate in the Commons in which he and neighbouring MP Paul Bristow could make the case for Peterborough to be the new headquarters.

In his reply, Mr Spencer praised Mr Vara as “a great champion for his constituents” and wished him every success in his bid. Mr Spencer added that the Government is embarking on the biggest investment in railway improvements, with £96 billion through the Integrated Rail Plan.

Great British Railways is a planned public body which will oversee rail transport across the country from 2023, replacing Network Rail. Its responsibilities will include the contracting of train operations, setting of timetables and fares, and the collection of fare revenue at the majority of stations.

As part of the Government’s commitment to levelling up, the headquarters for Great British Railways will be based outside of London. The winning area will receive government investment and a boost to the local economy with the creation of a number of high-skilled jobs.

Shortlisted applications will be announced in May 2022, to be followed by a public vote.

Mr Vara said:

“There is no doubt in my mind that Peterborough would be an excellent location for the new headquarters of Great British Railways. It would be a great boost to the city in so many ways, including bringing in many more jobs.

“As one of the fastest growing city’s in the country, with centuries of historic links to some of Britain’s first train stations, I am confident that Peterborough is well placed both culturally and geographically to bid for this investment.”