The UK Government today announced its intention to proceed with the £4.5bn Intercity Express Programme (IEP) procured through a Hitachi Trains-led consortium. The deal will see the replacement of the UK’s fleet of ageing intercity high speed trains but will also signify a major investment in the North East of England:
Hitachi had previously announced its intention to build a new train factory in County Durham to build the new order, creating more than 500 new jobs and securing thousands of additional jobs in sub-supplier industries in north east England, giving a further boost to Britain’s manufacturing industry. This factory is expected to be operational by 2013.
One local MP hailed the project as a “new Nissan” for the region (a reference to the company’s Sunderland car plant, the largest in the UK) while Business Secretary Vince Cable paid tribute to the North East’s attractiveness for inward investors:
With Japanese investment, Agility Trains will bring state-of-the-art technology to the UK, safeguard and boost jobs as well as create new opportunities for the UK supply chain.
Hitachi joins Nissan and Komatsu as the region’s third significant Japanese employer and investment partner. The 20th anniversary of the partnership between Gateshead Council and Komatsu City will be celebrated through 2011, with an affirmation ceremony between both place partners being held in Gateshead in July.
Click here for more, including a video of the new Intercity Express trains.
