MP visits Sheffield rail company as part of Rail Fellowship Programme

As part of the Railway Industry Association (RIA) Rail Fellowship Programme, Miriam Cates, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, recently visited Linbrooke Rail, a leading contractor providing advanced signalling, power, and communications solutions across the UK Rail Network.

The RIA Rail Fellowship Programme helps to educate politicians on the rail sector’s crucial importance to the UK by placing them at state-of-the-art sites where highly skilled rail professionals showcase the fascinating work they do.

Participating Fellows spend a day ‘on location’ with a RIA Member whose work is relevant to their role or constituency. Participants become part of an annual RIA Rail Fellowship Class and are recognised at the annual Parliamentary Reception.

During her visit, Miriam Cates gained valuable insights into the techniques employed by Linbrooke to reduce costs for the taxpayer on the Midland main line and the wider work the company does in training and supporting the local economy. The company has developed solutions that have been instrumental in cost reduction efforts on the signalling of the Midland main line., taking pride in the fact that the technology was developed right where the company was founded, reflecting Sheffield’s longstanding expertise in the rail industry.

She then met the workforce at Linbrooke’s distribution centre. Their discussions highlighted the company’s emphasis on training and employing local talent, ensuring that the community benefits from job opportunities and skills development in the rail sector. She was particularly interested in this commitment to empowering the local workforce as she sits on the education committee and has spoken of the need to create sustainable employment opportunities for young people.

Miriam also met Jason Garside, group head of recruitment. A former Marine, he now leads the company’s scheme supporting those with ties to the Armed Forces.

At the end of her visit, Miriam Cates MP said, “It was a privilege to visit Linbrooke Rail in Chapeltown and witness the impressive techniques they employ to reduce costs for the taxpayer on the Midland Mainline.

“I was particularly impressed by the commitment shown to the local community, with 10% of the workforce having connections to the Armed Forces. Linbrooke’s dedication to training and employing locals is commendable and contributes significantly to the economy of our region.”