Doncaster has received news on its GBR HQ bid

Transport Secretary Mark Harper MP has announced the winner of the competition to house Great British Railways Headquarters (GBR HQ) and it’s been revealed that Doncaster was pipped at the post by fellow competitor, Derby.

Doncaster has been waiting for a result since last summer when the city found out that out of 42 locations, it made the shortlist along with fellow contenders Birmingham, Crewe, Derby, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and York in a bid to be crowned the home of Britain’s railways.

Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones said: “I am deeply disappointed in today’s result for Doncaster. I feel strongly that placing the Great British Railways Headquarters in Doncaster, in the heart of South Yorkshire, would have brought a great many benefits to our newly crowned city and to the region. Doncaster would have made the perfect home for the GBR HQ and locating it here would have gone a long way in realising the Government’s levelling up aspirations for the area.

“I am immensely proud of the bid we submitted and I’d like to thank the bid team and all those involved for putting together an exceptional bid and our residents, businesses, partner organisations and local communities for getting behind it. We had an overwhelming level of public support for Doncaster’s bid and it’s been heart-warming to receive this. I know that this collective desire to continue to grow our city will stand Doncaster in good stead for future opportunities. Onwards and upwards Doncaster.”

Michael Hird, Chairman of Hird Group Ltd and Chair of the Doncaster GBR bid said: “I am bitterly disappointed at the result for Doncaster. As a bid team we put together a strong case for Doncaster to host the Great British Railways headquarters and I am proud of the efforts of all involved. I look forward to receiving feedback on our bid and to using Doncaster’s strong position to support Great British Railways in the future.”