New Siemens facility 'vote of confidence' for region

The opening of a £100 million rail engineering facility is a "vote of confidence" for a region's economy and future, a government minister has said.

The new Siemens Rail Technology Centre on Southpoint Business Park in Chippenham was opened earlier, with the prime minister among those in attendance.

Siemens, which was previously based elsewhere in the town, creates digital signalling technology for the UK's rail network.

Heidi Alexander, the MP for Swindon South and the secretary of state for transport, said: "It's a great vote of confidence in the economy of the West Country."

"This facility supports and secures 800 really important jobs in Chippenham," she added.

The new facility includes specialist laboratories, engineering facilities and manufacturing lines to produce electronics such as circuit boards.

Siemens' Wiltshire operation is the rail division of the German industrial conglomerate, and has played a role in projects such as the Elizabeth Line and the Birmingham New Street Station redevelopment.

The old Siemens factory in Langley Park, Chippenham was founded by signalling contractor Evans O'Donnell in 1897.

It was later acquired by the Westinghouse Brake and Signalling Company, before becoming part of the Siemens network in 2013.

The company left the Langley Park site earlier this year as there was no space for expansion and its older buildings did not meet Siemens' environmental goals.

Rob Morris, managing director of Siemens Mobility UK and Ireland, said while they "could have gone further afield" or abroad, it was important for the company to remain in the town.

"The capability and the potential for the future resides here [in Chippenham] and that's where it should stay and that's where we are investing," he said.

The centre will also host 3,300 students aged 14 to 16 each year as part of a new work experience programme called Tech Experience Launchpad.

"Britain's railways are changing fast. From AI and digital technology to advanced manufacturing, we need a new generation of engineers and innovators to shape their future," Morris said.

"Our £360 million investment in Britain is about more than building world-class rail facilities. It's about creating skilled jobs, developing talent and strengthening the industrial capabilities Britain needs for the future," he added.

Morris said staff wanted to "ignite some excitement into the future rail industry" with the younger generation.

He added: "What we have here today...is the source of Siemens systems for decades to come."

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