Cash agreed for college

An artist's impression of the new High Speed Rail College set to be built in Doncaster next year.

The Government has confirmed finance is in place following November’s comprehensive spending review, subject to final due diligence.

Officials say this is a major milestone for the scheme, which will open its doors for the first intake of students in Birmingham and Doncaster from September 2017.

Terry Morgan, chairman of the corporate board for the National College for High Speed Rail, said: “This is an excellent outcome and it will ensure that the NCHSR is set up with an agreed financial package and keeps us on schedule to invite the first intake of students in September 2017.

Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “This is an important announcement and it is now full steam ahead for the new National College for High Speed Rail in Doncaster.

“The college will have a transformational impact on our booming rail sector. It will provide our existing rail firms with the opportunities to flourish, encourage new companies to locate in the area and importantly deliver more high quality, well-paid jobs for local people to tap into. The college will make a major contribution to economic growth in Doncaster, the wider Sheffield City Region, Yorkshire and the north.”

HS2 Ltd will support up to 100,000 jobs nationwide.