A BID to make York home of the new national high speed rail college has been submitted to the Government.
Teesside University, Darlington College and Hitachi, which is constructing a train-building factory at Newton Aycliffe, are among 60 business and organisations from the region which are backing the proposal.
The college will deliver specialised training and qualifications needed to construct a high speed rail network.
Barry Dodd, chairman of the York, North Yorkshire & East Riding Enterprise Partnership, said: “The UK excels in several technologies but it is rare to gain the operating benefits of critical mass, particularly in the North of England.
“The York and North Yorkshire with East Riding LEP believes the proposed High Speed Rail College should be located in York because the existing brand new Network Rail training centre, together with impressive rail infrastructure, is already there.
“The HSR college would therefore gain instant critical mass, provide cross training opportunities and achieve cost benefits if positioned in York.”
The Government is expected to make a decision on the location of the site in June or July.
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