BRITAIN'S new generation of super-fast HS2 "bullet trains" will be designed and built here in County Durham – amid the news that thousands of jobs will be brought to the region off the back of the “transformative” project.
Announced today (December 9), the state-of-the-art high-speed trains will be built by Hitachi/Alstom JV at their factory in Newton Aycliffe, as well as across the country in Derby and Crewe in a major deal set to support 2,500 jobs in the UK.
For the first time in its history, the fleet of 54 trains will be designed and assembled on home soil, supporting jobs in the North East and their supply chains, including apprentices and roles for young people.
Read more: Inside the Newton Aycliffe Hitachi factory that will build new super fast HS2 trains
Announcing the news of the £2bn contract earlier today, the Government have claimed that the new HS2 trains will be the fastest and lowest carbon trains of their kind in the UK, minimising environmental impacts and helping decarbonise transport.
Today’s revelation comes as a relief for County Durham after the Government snubbed the region last month, both for HS2 routes and not including the historic Leamside Line network in its upcoming transformative rail scheme.
Plans for the Hitachi Factory in Newton Aycliffe were announced by Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, but not in the way it was scheduled to happen.
Mr Shapps was preparing for a trip to County Durham to unveil the “exciting” news to councillors and MPs of the region but was forced to self-isolate after meeting Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce, earlier this week, who later tested positive for Covid-19.
Read more: Hitachi in Aycliffe brings jobs and £110m investment
Unveiling the news, Mr Shapps said: “Today’s announcement places Britain firmly at the forefront of the high-speed rail revolution with a billion-pound investment in state-of-the-art trains serving communities right across the country from London to Glasgow.
“Not only does this show we are getting on with delivering better and faster journeys through our plans to upgrade the rail network, but this is also another landmark step in the delivery of HS2, sustaining 2,500 jobs and levelling up employment and leisure opportunities for generations to come.”
The first train is expected to roll off the production line around 2027. Following a rigorous process of testing and commissioning, the first passengers are expected to be carried between 2029 and 2033.
Andrew Barr, Group CEO of Hitachi Rail, said: “We are excited to be pioneering the next generation of high-speed rail in the UK as part of our joint venture with Alstom. This British-built bullet train will be the fastest in Europe, and I am proud of the role that Hitachi will play in helping to improve mobility in the UK through this project.”
Hitachi Rail recently invested £8.5m in a bespoke welding and painting facilities at its Newton Aycliffe factory, taking its total investment up to £110m.
The site, which opened in 2015 and employs around 700 staff, was a major boost for manufacturing in the region and returned train building to the North East. The new welding facility will carry out vehicle body assembly and fit out, before each one is transported to the East Midlands.
HS2 Ltd chief executive, Mark Thurston, added: “Today is a massive day for HS2. The trains that will be built at Derby and Newton Aycliffe will transform rail travel – offering passengers unparalleled levels of reliability, speed and comfort and help in the fight against climate change.”
In a political capacity, former Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson, who was instrumental in Hitachi coming to Aycliffe, has hailed today's news.
Mr Wilson was part of a campaign called “Back on Track”, run in conjunction with The Northern Echo to get the Newton Aycliffe factory here.
The former MP said: “This is fantastic news for the region and it goes to prove that even though the HS2 line isn’t destined for the North East that we will still benefit because this will create a lot more highly skilled, well paid jobs.
"It proves that all of the hard work with the Back on Track campaign to bring the factory here in the first place was worthwhile. I’m over the moon about this.”
From the former MP for Sedgefield to the current one.
The HS2 announcement for Newton Aycliffe has also been welcomed by Paul Howell, who today said: "Today’s announcement by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is wonderful news for the Sedgefield constituency and the wider North East region bringing jobs and apprenticeships to the Hitachi factory in Newton Aycliffe where trains will be built as well as increasing jobs in the local supply chains.
“I have been supporting Hitachi in their bid for the contract to build the HS2 rolling stock including engagement with ministers about the skills and commitment of the Aycliffe-based team and also working with colleagues around the country, from Crewe to Derby."
Mr Howell added: "This puts Newton Aycliffe, my Sedgefield constituency and the North East firmly at the forefront of the high-speed rail revolution and we are getting on with delivering better and faster journeys and levelling up employment and leisure opportunities for generations to come.
“This is a great positive step forward and today has been a landmark moment for the future of railways in Britain and bringing job security to the North East."
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