Derbyshire rails plans 'to create 2,000 jobs'
Representatives from utilities company Severn Trent will today (10 January 2012) meet with South Derbyshire councillors as plans for a huge rail freight hub in the county step up the pace.
If the two parties reach an agreement, more than 2,000 jobs could be created on 619 acres between Etwall and Eggington.
A spokesman from Etwall Land – a special company created to work on the project – told Insider: "Representatives from Etwall Land are looking forward to meeting with South Derbyshire District Council today.
"The selection of a partner for this project has reached an advanced stage and the team are looking forward to consulting with the public once a contract is in place."
Severn Trent had put the plan for the site on hold as the recession hit but is now expected to sign a deal with a developer in February.
The scheme was first debated back in 2008 with Severn Trent saying 2,000 jobs could be created.
However, John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said thousands more could eventually be created.
"When I work with investors interested in coming to Derby, one of the first questions they ask is where the nearest rail hub is," he said. "Derby is in the middle of the country and businesses want to get products to the ports. They are more likely to locate to the area if this is here."
Severn Trent have not submitted any detailed plans for the development yet, but has previously said the scheme could include 1 million sq ft of warehouses, distribution centres, a combined heat and power plant and new access roads from the A50 and the A5132.
The news is a welcome boost for Derby's rail industry, and comes after Bombardier's Derby works secured the contract to build 130 new Electrostar vehicle for Southern Railway.
