Bolton town centre chosen over Horwich for Great British Railway HQ bid

The borough is one of 42 towns to submit a bid in a government competition to become the new location of the new public body, which is set to absorb National Rail.

Bolton Council met the deadline of March 16 and will now wait to hear if they have been shortlisted for the next round of consideration, expected in May, after which officials will visit the proposed sites before making its final announcement in summer.

'Judges' are looking for a place with a rich railway heritage, strong links to the national network and public support for the selected location.

But it is since emerged that Bolton rather than Horwich, which is steeped in railway history has been chosen.

It was hoped by members of Horwich Town Council that the site for Bolton’s bid would be in Horwich, not in the town centre as has in fact been chosen by the council.

Horwich town councillor Gordon Stone said: “The decision to submit the centre of Bolton and not the historical railway town of Horwich for the Great British Railways HQ is disgraceful and will be a waste of time and money.

Horwich Loco Works 'ideal' for Bolton bid for Great British Railways HQ said the councillor.

Cllr Stone is not originally from Horwich, a fact that he says means he can be objective in the matter.

He added: “The railway is part of the DNA of Horwich in the same way as York or Crewe. This is not true of Bolton.”

Horwich has a rich rail heritage. The Loco Works was a cornerstone of rail engineering in the North West for nearly a century, at one time employing more than 5,000 people and attracting people from all over the country, including some of the world’s most preeminent railway engineers.

Among those names is George Stephenson, the so-called ‘Father of Railways,’ who is responsible for the creation of the Chequerbent Embankment – a 200m stretch of unique embankment that has recently been awarded Historic England’s highest level of protection.

Horwich Loco Works

Horwich is also home to Middlebrook Retail Park which would be capable of housing the headquarters. It also has good transport links and is only a half hour train ride from Manchester Piccadilly.

Cllr Stone said: “There was a good chance of success with a Horwich bid, virtually zero chance with a central Bolton bid. Even the nationally successful running club, Horwich RMI Harriers, has it as part of its name - Railway Mechanics Institute.

“Yet again Bolton Council Cabinet has failed to use sound judgement.”

Leader of Bolton Council, Martyn Cox, said: “We want to put a clear marker down that this town wants to home a national body and use it as an anchor tenant and significantly raise Bolton’s profile.

"They looked at everything when the team looked at candidates. It was close but when the team looked at where would give us the best chance it was Bolton town centre.

“The team looked very carefully at different sites, but we chose the best opportunity of winning it. You don’t put a bid in unless it’s the best site.

“What’s important is that it there will be jobs for everyone in the borough.”