Wait goes on for Great British Railways HQ decision

No decision has yet been made on the location of Great British Railways' (GBR) headquarters in Derby, two years after it was confirmed the city would host the site.

The publicly-owned body will oversee the rail system across England, Wales and Scotland.

Legislation to create the body is expected to be put before Parliament this autumn.

Possible sites mooted for its location have included Becketwell, Derby Works, Midland House, Pride Point and RTC Derby.

The Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said on a visit to East Midlands Railway's headquarters in Derby that she was "clear" the organisation needs to be "up and running in 2027", after the project was met with delays in the past.

However, she could not commit to an announcement on the location in 2025.

"We've got to take some legislation through Parliament first," she told the BBC.

"The HQ will be in Derby, 100%. We're really excited about it, I think it's a great opportunity for this fantastic city.

"The precise location of the HQ hasn't been determined yet but I will work closely with the local councillors, with the local MPs and make sure that we get a perfect base for this fantastic new public sector organisation."

Derby is already home to the UK's largest train factory, which employs about 2,000 people.

In May 2021, former transport secretary Grant Shapps announced plans for GBR to be set up, saying it would replace an "overcomplicated and fragmented" system.

In March 2023, the government announced Derby had beat off competition to host the organisation.

It was initially due to be launched in early 2024, but the implementation date was delayed.

The leader of Derby Conservatives Steve Hassall said the lack of any news on a location would be of "great frustration for the public, who really got behind the campaign [to house the HQ in Derby]".

Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.