The Prime Minister and transport secretary have been guests of honour at the opening of a technology and innovation centre in Chippenham.

The centre, which has cost £100 million, supports 800 jobs, and Siemens said it would ‘support the future of digital rail technology in the United Kingdom’.

The new site at SouthPoint Business Park serves as a global centre of excellence for signalling and control systems, replacing the historic neighbouring building. The transition to the new premises, including the transfer of all 800 local staff, was completed without any interruption in production.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: ‘Siemens Mobility’s new rail technology centre is a real boost for Chippenham and a vote of confidence in Britain's rail industry. The digital signalling produced on site will help our railways become more reliable and safer, whilst strengthening our skills base by supporting hundreds of local jobs and apprenticeships.’

Siemens UK and Ireland managing director Rob Morris said: ‘There is huge ambition to transform Britain’s railways by bringing track and train together to create a simpler, more reliable service for passengers and freight. Our new centre strengthens our ability to design, test and manufacture the next generation of rail technology, just like Chippenham has done for over a century. The systems developed here will support millions of passenger journeys, helping to deliver a more reliable railway across Britain while serving rail networks around the world.’

Joint Siemens UK and Ireland CEO Aglaja Schneider added: ‘We’re committed to developing the next generation of skilled talent who will build and shape Britain's future railways, so taking part in today’s national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) lesson and seeing the excitement of the children has been incredibly special.  We’re proud to officially open our new £100 million Rail Technology Centre, as part of our £360 million investment in the UK, including up to £240 million in our Goole Rail Village. As a key partner to the railway, we’re investing in Britain's future through our people, technology and manufacturing capabilities.’

Network Rail chief executive Jeremy Westlake said: ‘Siemens Mobility’s new site is a big step forward for Britain’s railway, as the industry embraces innovative technologies in order to deliver a more reliable service for the public. Our railway is undergoing a generational change as we move to Great British Railways, and through programmes such as the East Coast Digital Programme, we’re already seeing what close collaboration between partners throughout the sector can achieve for passengers and freight.’

The new Siemens centre marks the next chapter for an historic rail hub that dates back to 1897. Originally established by Evans O’Donnell and later the headquarters of the Westinghouse Brake & Signalling Company, Chippenham has been a railway centre  for over a century.

Science presenter Maddie Moate said: ‘There are few better places to learn science than inside a factory where engineers are living it every day. And it’s a powerful way of showing young people how jobs in places like this are doors that are open to them.

‘As an engineer and a mum to a ten-year-old daughter that wants to have a job like mine, I want young people to see that engineering is for them. There are so many different routes into the industry and career options behind the railways people use every day.’

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