Siemens submits £100m Wiltshire facility plans

Siemens has submitted plans for a new £100m rail infrastructure manufacturing, digital engineering and research and development (R&D) facility in Wiltshire.Last month, Siemens Mobility announced proposals for the new facility, located south of Langley Park at SouthPoint Business Park which is set to replace the company’s existing Chippenham factory in 2026.Now, a planning application for the scheme, which is designed to be a cornerstone for Siemens’ future projects in rail technology, has since been submitted to Wiltshire Council.A planning statement submitted as part of the application said: “Siemens proposes to relocate from its existing facility at Langley Park into a purpose-built sustainable building, providing for leading manufacturing and R&D facilities that will allow the company to realise its growth ambitions.”Furthermore the proposals will allow Siemens to continue to grow its local workforce at a location with the potential for supplier and other companies to co-locate on future development plots at SouthPoint Business Park.”The facility will provide a site to build the next generation of conventional and digital rail signalling and control systems for Britain.All circa 800 local manufacturing, research, engineering, and support staff will transition to the new site.Siemens current Chippenham factory has played a key role in major projects such as the Elizabeth line, North Wales Coast and Birmingham New Street.Originally established by signalling contractor Evans O’Donnell in 1897, over the years, the factory has undergone various transitions, including being acquired by the Westinghouse Brake & Signaling Company, before becoming part of Siemens global network of rail infrastructure production facilities in 2013.