£100 MILLION will be spent on a new electric train depot in Shipley – a development that will bring 100 jobs to the town.
The depot will be built on the former Crossley Evans site next to Shipley Railway Station, and is part of the multi billion pound Transpennine route upgrade.
Today, the Government’s Rail Minister Huw Merriman visited the site to announce what will be known as the Shipley TrainCare Centre.
The huge new facility will see electric trains repaired, maintained and stored in Shipley instead of the Neville Hill depot in East Leeds, which will temporarily shut as part of upcoming Transpennine route work.
However, when Neville Hill re-opens, the electric train depot will remain in Shipley.
It will incorporate the latest technology, and the on site jobs will be “high skilled” roles.
The development is expected to be completed by 2027.
The Crossley Evans site has been cleared in recent weeks, and the long standing scrap company, which has always leased the land from Network Rail, has relocated elsewhere in Yorkshire.
Construction work on the depot is expected to begin later this year, and when completed it will be one of the town centre’s biggest employers.
Mr Merriman was joined by representatives of Northern Rail and Bradford Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe on his visit, where he was shown the designs for the new depot.
Network Rail, which owns the site, says the announcement means the area’s rail history has “come full circle.”
The site was originally built as a goods yard alongside the railway line between Shipley and Bradford, opened by the Leeds & Bradford Railway Company in 1846.
For decades it handled consignments of coal and stone from the nearby Wrose Quarry; when it returns to its railway roots it will be handling clean, modern electric trains.
The company added: “Crossley Evans remained supportive and co-operative throughout the early development stages of the depot.”
It was Mr Merriman’s latest visit to Bradford, following announcements that Government will be 1funding a new city centre station with £2 billion and building a new platform at Forster Square thanks to £24m funding.
He said: “This £100m will provide stabling for up to 40 trains and will help provide essential resilience, alongside the depot in East Leeds.
“It will also bring a workforce of 100 high skilled jobs. When you invest in an area you see how the supply chain grows around it, so this will provide a real boost for Shipley.
“This development will use cutting edge technology. Highly skilled, well paid jobs will provide a lift for the area.”
Referring to his other recent rail announcements in Bradford, he said: “The reason I keep seeing you is because we’re really excited about the opportunities for this area.
“I know we announced the £2b for the new station, but people want to know about the hear and now.
“The announcement of the Forster Square platform was us delivering in time for Bradford’s City of Culture status.”
Rob Warnes, Strategic Development Director for Northern, explained why Shipley was chosen for the depot, saying: “75 per cent of our electric trains run through Shipley every day, so it is the perfect spot.
“We’re going to see an increase in electric trains as we electrify the railways.
“This brand new depot will support rail services while we carry out essential improvements and will also leave long-lasting legacy benefits for the town going forward.”
Rob Warnes, Strategic Development Director for Northern, said: “As the future home for most of our electric train fleets for West Yorkshire, the new site will bring a wealth of highly-skilled jobs into the region, as well as providing resilience for our network across the North.
“It will play a key part in helping us to deliver our plans for the Transpennine route upgrade and beyond.”
Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “We welcome this investment into Shipley - £100m and 100 jobs is a boost of confidence for the District.
“It shows how we are becoming much more central to the rail network of the North.
“This will make a big difference for Shipley.
“It is also an opportunity for young people in the area to see what jobs are available in this sector.”
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