PLANS for a new train maintenance base which could bring up to 40 jobs to York have moved a step further today.

City of York Council chiefs are to screen opinion for the viability of a new train care facility at a former refuelling depot on railway sidings, to the north side of Leeman Road.

Officers will consult and decide whether an environmental impact study is required to accompany any application which would make the land the centre of maintenance for the TransPennine Express rail fleet.

Siemens Transportation Systems is expected to put forward a scheme to build a base at the former fuel depot.

Its purpose will be to help the company care for, and refuel FirstGroup's existing and new £250 million train fleet.

In August last year, the Evening Press reported how up to 40 jobs were expected to be needed for the new factory if planning chiefs were to eventually give the go-ahead.

Siemens looked at a number of sites before plumping for the refuelling depot at Leeman Road. The company won the prestigious contract following the announcement that FirstGroup and Keolis had won the race to run TransPennine Express services last year.

FirstGroup plans to bring in 56 three-car diesel trainsets, capable of 100mph, with 168 new coaches in 2006.

A City of York Council spokeswoman said a planning application had not yet been submitted, but that the study could form part of any application put forward in the future.

News of the Siemens deal came as a boost to a rail industry which, at that time, had been stunned by the closure of the Thrall factory.

Updated: 10:01 Friday, October 08, 2004