Crewe is not expected to be named as the new location of the Great British Railways (GBR) headquarters The Guardian and the Derby Telegraph are reporting.

Derby is expected to get the nod for the headquarters of the newly formed GBR, which will oversee all rail operations across the country, including fares and timetables and would be expected to bring new jobs and investment to the chosen location.

Former Transport secretary, Grant Shapps announced the new rail body in 2021 with a public vote launched to help inform the final decision on the location of the new home. Crewe was shortlisted from an original long list of 42 possible locations alongside Birmingham, Derby, Doncaster, Newcastle and York and had focused its bid on Crewe's rich rail heritage and tradition with Dr Kieran Mullan, MP for Crewe and Nantwich stating at the time of the shortlist being announced: "Following the submission of Crewe's fantastic bid, I'm delighted we have now been shortlisted. We are now up against five other locations as the potential home of GBR. 

"I can honestly say there are few places in the country that are more closely linked with the railway than Crewe and bringing the headquarters here will continue this proud tradition."

Dr Mullan has also pressed transport minister Huw Merriman, MP recently once the government had announced they expected a decision before Easter.

The reports suggest the Department for Transport has declined to comment so far and will be announcing the winner in 'due course'.

Nub News has reached out to Cheshire East Council who also declined to comment on the reports until an announcement had been made.

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