Siemens Mobility is investing heavily in a new state-of-the-art rail infrastructure site in Wiltshire.

The new £100 million factory at Chippenham will produce the next generation digital rail signalling and control systems.

The Government has called the investment “a big boost for Britain’s world-class manufacturing sector.”

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt added: “This digital technology will improve the safety, reliability and connectivity of our railways and drive sustainable opportunities in higher-paid jobs and exports – as part of our plan to grow our economy.”

Siemens Mobility UK & Ireland joint CEO Rob Morris said: “This £100 million investment is a strong commitment to Chippenham and our country. Siemens Mobility’s Chippenham site, along with our 30 sites across the country, has been transforming rail travel and transport in Britain – and it will continue to do so with cloud-based rail technology connecting the real and the digital worlds, digitalizing rail.

“We are very excited to soon start construction of one of the most sophisticated rail factories, digital engineering and R&D sites in the UK, supporting local jobs and skills for the future. There’s a piece of Britain in everything we build.” 

The new digital engineering and R&D facility will replace the existing factory and is expected to be operational by 2026 and all 800 local manufacturing, research, engineering, and support staff will transition to the new site. 

The company said its Chippenham site has been involved in key innovations over the past 100 years, including being instrumental in the digital signalling technology on the Elizabeth line.

Other notable achievements include being at the forefront of delivering the first centralised traffic control systems in the UK in the 1920s. Similar technology today was used for the addition of an extra service during the Grand National horse race.