Siemens Mobility's £100 million Chippenham factory approved

Siemens Mobility has been given the go-ahead for the huge manufacturing, research, and development centre at Southpoint Business Park, on the southern outskirts of Chippenham.

According to the rail equipment manufacturers, this move from the Langley Park site will “further cement Siemens’ connection with Chippenham for years to come”.

READ MORE: Siemens £100m factory plans for Chippenham get boost

The new centre will include offices, production facilities, laboratories, warehousing, staff facilities, and a test track-bed for static testing of signalling infrastructure equipment.

The site will be open 24 hours per day and will achieve net zero carbon emissions.

In July, following consultation with the town council and other stakeholders, Siemens had submitted revised plans to address raised concerns.

Illustrative visualisation showing the industrial entrance, facing south west. (Image: AHR) These included a proposal to lower the speed limit on Patterdown Lane to 30mph to promote cycling on the road, which could become a busy commuter route to the site.

Chippenham Town Council was supportive of the revised plans and the latest Wiltshire Council case officer report noted that from an economic perspective, the factory would be “welcome”.

It stated: “Siemens Mobility have been an important employer in Chippenham since 2013 when it took over the Westinghouse Brake and Signalling company at Langley Park.

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Illustrative visualisation showing the canteen terrace, facing south-west. (Image: AHR) “The company’s proposal to invest £100m in a new facility, incorporating the latest energy saving measures and built to the highest BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard, is a huge vote of confidence in Chippenham and the 800 staff they employ at the site.

“This site is the UK’s sole dedicated signalling and control facility so is important from a national infrastructure perspective and results in highly skilled, well-paid jobs that brings benefits to the local economy, along with giving other local businesses the opportunity to supply goods and services.”

Illustrative visualisation showing the dispatch yard, facing east. (Image: AHR) Siemens’ application revealed that the Langley Park location was no longer “economically viable”.

It read: “The lease on Siemens Mobility’s current accommodation expires soon and a feasibility study has been carried out to review whether to remain on Langley Park, either in refurbished buildings or a new development, or whether a new home should be found.

“The study determined that to remain at Langley Park is not economically viable; that future expansion plans would not be possible; or that Siemens’ sustainability aspirations cannot be met.”