Hochtief (UK) has been appointed to deliver a new £40 million train depot for Great Western Railway (GWR) in Exeter.

The facility will be built at Exeter Olds View Depot train maintenance facility and work is scheduled to start this spring, with completion expected by early summer 2019.

Located alongside existing facilities next to Exeter St. Davids station, the new depot will provide enhanced modern servicing, cleaning and maintenance facilities necessary to support new electric trains coming onto the line in the Devon and Cornwall area this summer. Features include office and welfare facilities for staff, while the depot is also designed to provide improved facilities for train maintenance.

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Hochtief Managing Director Lawrence Jackson said: "Hochtief (UK) is a major supplier of rail infrastructure in the Western Region and is delighted to be supporting GWR in delivering the new depot at Exeter Olds View.

"The project will provide local employment and training through apprenticeships to provide a legacy from the construction work and the project team will liaise with local schools and colleges to inspire the next generation of construction workers."

GWR Regional Development Manager West, Matt Barnes, said: "With brand new electric trains in operation on suburban London services and bi-mode Intercity Express Trains coming to the mainline in Devon and Cornwall this summer, this depot will allow us to expand the regional train fleet at Exeter - providing more carriages, and more frequent services to the area."

(LM/MH)