A Hitachi plant in County Durham has secured its future with a significant new contract. Fourteen modern trains will be built at Newton Aycliffe, preserving 700 vital jobs with a £500 million investment. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

A Hitachi plant in County Durham
The Hitachi rail manufacturing plant in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. Pic: PA

A Milestone for the Hitachi Plant in County Durham

This announcement comes after months of uncertainty for the plant and its workforce. The facility had faced a potential gap in its production schedule before starting work on HS2 trains.

Don’t miss…CRRC Autonomous Train: A New Milestone in Urban Transit Innovation

British transport giant First Group, Angel Trains, and Hitachi Rail have collaborated to secure this milestone agreement. These new five-carriage trains are expected to operate from 2027 on the Carmarthen-London route.

Additionally, the contract ensures extra capacity on existing Lumo and Hull Trains services. Another £460 million investment option for 13 more five-car trains remains under consideration.

Hitachi Rail’s UK and Ireland director, Jim Brewin, praised the deal as a transformative step forward. He acknowledged the dedication of local MPs and North East mayor Kim McGuinness for their critical support.

The private sector investment highlights the region’s strategic importance. Brewin emphasized how this contract reflects the team’s perseverance and high standards of work.

Angel Trains noted the significance of this agreement as its first major project announcement in six years. This partnership demonstrates renewed confidence in the UK’s manufacturing sector.

Transforming Rail Industry Through the Hitachi Plant in County Durham

During his campaign, Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the Newton Aycliffe plant. He described the situation then as a looming threat to workers’ livelihoods.

On Friday, Starmer celebrated this achievement, fulfilling a promise to the workforce. He remarked that safeguarding jobs is essential for the region’s economy and social stability.

Meanwhile, the Department for Transport announced plans to nationalize three rail companies earlier this week. South West Rail, c2c, and Greater Anglia are set to become part of Great British Rail.

This move aims to improve coordination, reliability, and investment in the UK’s rail network. Combined, these initiatives underscore a turning point for the British rail industry.

Source: news.sky.com

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Don’t miss…Hungary: Railway Infrastructure Modernization Project

Find the latest news of the railway industry in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and the rest of the world on our page on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, read Railway Supply magazine online.

Place your ads on webportal and in Railway Supply magazine. Detailed information is in Railway Supply media kit