Iain Stewart and Ben Everitt are continuing their campaign to make Milton Keynes the new home of Great British Railways, as the Government announced the competition has now officially opened.
The new Great British Railways HQ will be based outside of London and bring a 'number of high-skilled jobs to the winning location'.
Last month, the Leader of Milton Keynes Council announced the Council's backing, stating that "Milton Keynes is an obvious contender".
The GBR Transition Team will shortlist the best applications in May, after which a public vote will help determine the winning location.
Bids to house the new HQ will be measured against six criteria:
- Alignment to Levelling Up objectives
- Connected and easy to get to
- Opportunities for Great British Railways
- Railway heritage and links to the network
- Value for money
- Public support
This announcement follows the publication of the Levelling Up White Paper, which sets out the Conservative Government’s plan.
It includes twelve bold national levelling up missions, which will be given status in law, and shift Government focus and resources to Britain’s forgotten communities throughout the 2020s.
Iain Stewart MP said: “Milton Keynes’ strong, historical links to our nation’s railways make it an ideal location for the new Great British Railways headquarters – and I will be backing their bid all the way.
“This HQ would bring new highly skilled jobs to the area, level up and create opportunities for residents, and cement MK’s status as the true home of British rail.
“I urge local residents, leaders, and business groups to get behind our bid – and prove to the country why Milton Keynes should be the home of Great British Railways.”
Ben Everitt MP said: “Milton Keynes is absolutely the perfect place to be the new headquarters for Great British Railways.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Our railways have kept this country moving for almost two hundred years but it’s time to kickstart a new age that will shape our network for the next two hundred.
“I’m calling on people across the country to make the case for why the true home of the railways is on your doorstep”
Local authorities, MPs and business groups are being encouraged to drive forward campaigns for why their community should be the Destination. You can find out more here.
READ MORE: Milton Keynes enters national competition for Great British Railway HQ
