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Construction has officially begun on Siemens Mobility’s new GBP 100 million manufacturing, digital engineering, and research and development facility in Chippenham, Wiltshire. Marking a significant milestone for the UK rail industry, the groundbreaking event was attended by Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy, Chippenham MP Sarah Gibson, Siemens Mobility’s leadership team, former employees with long-standing ties to the company, and local community members. The new facility, set to open in 2026 at Southpoint Business Park, will employ approximately 800 staff and focus on the development and production of next-generation conventional and digital rail signalling and control systems for both domestic and international markets. “Breaking ground on our new Chippenham facility marks a significant milestone for Siemens Mobility and the wider UK rail industry. This investment reinforces our commitment to driving innovation in rail technology and to transform rail travel and transport for passengers and freight across the UK. It was particularly special to welcome past employees and local school children, who represent both our proud heritage and the future of our industry,” Rob Morris, Joint CEO and Managing Director for Rail Infrastructure and Software UKI at Siemens Mobility, said. “This GBP 100million investment will bring a huge amount of opportunity with it. Current and future rail projects will benefit from better signalling systems, modernising our infrastructure and meaning better services for millions of passengers. More than 800 people will have a job at this site, giving people the opportunity to build a life here in Chippenham and have a career in the railway industry – which I can say from experience is very rewarding. I look forward to seeing this investment create jobs, boost business, and bolster Wiltshire’s potential,” Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said. Bowmer + Kirkland, the main contractor for the project, has been appointed to deliver the new facility. “Bowmer + Kirkland are delighted to be chosen as Siemens Mobility’s construction partner to deliver this state-of-the-art facility in Chippenham. We are also really pleased to continue our relationship with Siemens and bring our vast experience in the delivery of high-quality buildings and our expertise in sustainable construction methods to this project,” Nick McQuaid, Regional Director at Bowmer + Kirkland, said. The facility will be built to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standards and will include sustainable features such as energy-efficient production spaces and environmentally conscious office design. Siemens Mobility also plans to support local biodiversity by increasing green spaces, planting native species, and creating new wildlife habitats. |
