For the good of the next generation

Malcolm Prentice is Chairman of Swadlincote-based MTMS, specialists providers of depot maintenance and suppliers of chemicals, consumables, paints and coatings for the transport industry.

Malcolm Prentice, Chairman of Swadlincote-based MTMS, says that Derby is an outsider in the race to land the Great British Rail HQ – but it would be failing its young people if it didn’t do all it can to upset the odds

Derby will be letting down the next generation of engineering talent if it doesn’t do all in its power to win the race to be named home for the Great British Railways HQ. The city however, is an outside bet in the race – despite its rich rail heritage and place at the heart of the rail industry – and it needs a huge collective effort across the region in order to beat off competitions from the others.

Due to be set up next year, GBR will replace Network Rail as part of a huge overhaul of the country’s rail system, which will see the current rail franchise model consigned to history in favour of a more centralised system.

GBR will be at the heart of the new era, which is also being seen as a new dawn for railways, with plans also announced to bring smaller lines back into use in order to increase public transport options for commuters, as well as the development of green technology to make railways more sustainable.

Derby, thanks to its central location and engineering prowess, would be more than capable of playing an active role in this, however it faces an uphill battle to convince the public and ministers that it has what it takes in the face of stiff competition from the heavyweights on the list such as Birmingham.

If I was a betting man, I’d say that Derby is an outsider in a vote such as this, because Birmingham is a big city and the headquarters for HS2 for a start, while York’s rail history is far better known.

If we are to win it, then it can’t be left to the rail industry and the council to do all the hard work. Every business in every sector, as well as people across the city and elsewhere, needs to get on board to show the judges that we are all behind this.

It’s a big ask, but we have a huge responsibility to the youngsters who are coming through, because their future livelihoods and prospects rely on the ability of Derby to secure opportunities like this ahead of other regions.

All too often Derby has been left standing on the platform while investment opportunities have gone elsewhere. We have the talent and a wealth of local companies who are already exploring the kind of green transport technology that the rail industry will be looking at.

It means that while Derby is a logical choice, it’s not an obvious choice, and it’s up to everyone to make the case for the city and give us the best possible chance we could have.

NEWS IN BRIEF

DEFIBRILLATORS COMING TO STATIONS ACROSS SOUTH YORKSHIRE

A total of 36 new defibrillators are set to be installed at Northern’s stations

in South Yorkshire. The new lifesaving equipment, which has been funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), will be installed by

the end of September, meaning every station run by the train operator in this area will have a defibrillator for use by the local community. Northern has already installed more than 100 more defibrillators across its stations in the North of England this year.

36 NEW DEFIBRILLATORS

100 MORE DEFIBRILLATORS

GREEN FINGERED BRIDLINGTON MAN NOMINATED FOR NATIONAL RAIL AWARD

Andrew Loxton works as a retail supervisor for Northern at Bridlington station – but is better known by the train operator’s customers for his gardening and prize-winning floral arrangements on the platforms, for which the station has rightly become famous. And now, he has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Personal Contribution category of the prestigious National Rail Awards – a scheme which recognises outstanding achievements across Great Britain and rewards individuals and initiatives which demonstrate innovation, measurable improvements and exceptional leadership.