First steelwork installed at new Shipley TrainCare Centre

On Friday 23 October, the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) hosted Anna Dixon, MP for Shipley, Councillor Eleanor Thomson, and Michael Sasse, Rail Policy Manager at WYCA, to view the first steelwork installed which will form the framework of the new multi-million-pound TrainCare Centre in Shipley.

The day provided an opportunity for stakeholders to hear directly from TRU and Northern colleagues about the most recent developments at the site, as well as the long-term economic benefits that will be unlocked for the local community upon its completion.

The purpose-built facility has already received over £160m of funding to transform a former brownfield site into the new permanent home of Northern’s electric train fleet in West Yorkshire once works are completed.

Its creation will serve a critical role in delivering a resilient railway across the north of England, as it will enable trains to continue operating on the Airedale and Wharfedale lines while major work takes place in and around the Neville Hill TrainCare Centre during a future phase of planned TRU improvements.

Shipley TrainCare Centre will bring up to 100 skilled jobs to the area, which will remain after the conclusion of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, meaning local communities will benefit from long-term employment opportunities.

Anna Dixon MP said:

“It was brilliant to again visit the Shipley TrainCare Centre and see first-hand the fantastic progress that has been made on its construction. 

“Bringing the skilled, high-quality jobs of the future to the Shipley constituency has always been one of my top priorities as MP, and having this facility here will give local people the chance to build long-term careers right on our doorstep.

“And importantly, the benefits aren’t just confined within the depot gates. More people in well-paid jobs in the heart of Shipley will mean more spending in our shops, cafés, and businesses, further helping in the revitalisation of the town centre.

“From what I have seen today, I am confident that this development will make a real and lasting contribution to Shipley’s growth, and in unlocking the full potential of the wider region.”

Adam Sellers, TRU senior sponsor, said:

“Great progress is being made our Shipley site, so we were delighted to have our senior stakeholders see this firsthand, and to provide a detailed update on the benefits this site will bring to not just railway resilience in West Yorkshire, but the local economy.

“TRU is committed to supporting local communities and providing local jobs, and this new depot will ensure we leave a positive lasting legacy in the town.”

Euan Smith, Director of Fleet at Northern, said:

“It is exciting to welcome some of our key stakeholders in the area to the site of Shipley to illustrate the tangible progress being made towards the construction of the facility.

“The Shipley TrainCare Centre will play a key role in allowing Northern to continue to deliver services for customers across the region while upgrades will be carried out at Neville Hill.

“This will enable us to be a resilient operator and meet the demands of our customers and our network, all while futureproofing the railway for further investment and projects.”