The government has confirmed that the headquarters of Great British Railways will be located at the Becketwell site in Derby. The new development is expected to bring hundreds of jobs and a £151m economic boost to the region.
The government has confirmed that the headquarters of Great British Railways (GBR) will be located at the former Duckworth Square site in the Becketwell area of Derby. The decision, announced on October 15, 2026, selects the brownfield site over the alternative Midland House location, marking a significant step in the establishment of the new state-owned railway body.
The headquarters will be housed in a new eight-storey office building at 3 Springwell Square, developed by St James Securities. The site forms part of Derby’s wider £200m Becketwell regeneration scheme. According to the Department for Transport (DfT), construction is expected to begin in early 2027 and be completed by spring 2029.
The new facility is described by the government as a "modern fit-for-purpose headquarters" that will accommodate up to 450 GBR staff. The DfT stated that the site would be supported by improved public transport links and walking routes, delivered in partnership with Derby City Council and the East Midlands Combined Authority.
St James Securities said the plans include an extension to Springwell Square and a new "pocket park" in Macklin Street. Paul Morris, development director of St James Securities, noted that the proposals were shaped by feedback from a public consultation.
The government estimates the headquarters will bring a £151m boost to the wider regional economy and create hundreds of rail jobs. In addition to the headquarters, the government announced that up to 600 apprentices aged between 16 and 21 will enrol on the rail foundation apprenticeship over the next four years, with the first cohort based in Derby.
The apprenticeship scheme aims to address the rail industry’s ageing workforce, as less than 7% of the sector’s employees are currently under 25. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden stated that the initiative forms part of a £2.5 billion youth employment support package.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham praised the decision, stating, "Great British Railways will have its home in Derby, a city that has railways in its DNA. This will bring investment and good jobs, giving young people the chance to build their future in the place they call home."
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said, "The biggest shake-up to our railways in a generation is underway. Great British Railways will bring the railway together around one mission – better services for passengers – with Derby at the heart of its future."
Derby City Council leader Nadine Peatfield expressed delight at the selection, calling it "fantastic news for our city centre." She added, "This has been a four-year journey and, while there are still a few stops to go, the end is now in sight and it’s full steam ahead."
The confirmation of the GBR headquarters location is a key milestone in the government's plan to bring the railway back into public control. GBR is set to own rail infrastructure, procure passenger services, and set most fares and timetables. The creation of the body requires the Railways Bill to receive Royal Assent, which the government hopes to achieve by the end of 2027. The move consolidates Derby’s role as a central hub for the UK rail industry, following the selection of the city as the headquarters location in March 2023.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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