“Newton News” Suggests Aycliffe for New Railway College

Government Consultation

The Government is gathering information to help make a decision on where the main site for a new high speed rail college would be best located to meet its aims.
This college will be an important part of the government’s strategy for providing a national high speed rail network for Britain. It will concentrate on designing and delivering the high level skills needed for high speed rail and other major engineering projects of the future, including High Speed 2 (HS2).
The college will run as a national centre, with links to a network of other existing providers and employers in the rail sector. Selecting a location for the main site will be the first important step in its creation. The main requirements for the location include:
•links with employers and other providers in the rail industry
•ease of access for learners
•how the location can help rebalance the economic geography of the country
•size and availability of a suitable site
•affordability and value for money
A final decision on the preferred location is expected in June 2014, and the college is expected to open in 2017.
Complete a response form and either Email to:highspeedrailcollege consultation@bis.gsi.gov.uk
Write to: High Speed Rail College Team Skills Strategy Division, Department for Business and Skills, 2nd Floor, 2 St Pauls Place, 125 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 2FJ
he consultation document can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/high-speed-rail-college-possible-location. This will be available from 00:15 on Friday 7th March 2014.
Newton News has responded by suggesting a site at Aycliffe Business Park which has recently been extended by Durham County Council.
This area is the original home of the Railways and Hitachi Rail are currently building a new multi million pound factory here to be in production in 2015/16.
Aycliffe Business Park is also the preferred site for a new University Training College, the bid for which has just been submitted.
It would seem logical and a cost saving move to combine the two projects.