Hitachi sounds positive note about future of County Durham train factory

Hitachi says it has had “really positive” talks with the Government and firms within the rail sector as it bids to secure the future of its North East plant.

The company, which employs around 700 people at its County Durham factory, raised concerns over the long-term future of the plant earlier this year after saying that orders were running out.

Labour had promised to support the plant in the run-up to the General Election but a lack of announcement on new orders since then had increased worries over jobs.

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But company executives have now revealed that there are a “myriad of options” being explored to provide the work needed to secure the plant’s future.

They were speaking as Hitachi revealed trials of battery-powered trains fitted at Newton Aycliffe that should provide major savings and improve the environmental performance of the rail industry.

Jim Brewin, chief director of UK & Ireland at Hitachi Rail, said: “We’re focusing on two things: firstly the retrofit market and can we bring diesel trains back to Newton Aycliffe, can we change diesels for battery?

“The second one is in procurement competitions and bidding for new rolling stock and can we look at new battery trains as part of those proposals. There are currently between 750 and 1,000 trains that we currently operate in the UK. So the opportunity there is pretty big.”

Asked about discussions with the Government on new orders, he added: “It’s been really positive. You’ll have seen the sort of support we got in relation to the factory and we’ve had people here who are really positive about what we do, they understand this factory very, very well. So there’s ongoing conversations with Government, private and public in terms of what this might look like.”

He added: “There are a lot of very good conversations that we’re having, as I’ve said, with Government and the private sector and we’re hopeful that will come to something that is positive for everyone involved. I’m pleased with that in terms of what we’ve got and the conversations we’re having.”

Mr Brewin was speaking at an event for rail industry leaders which outlined the results of a trial with TransPennine Express and Angel Trains to run intercity trains on battery power. The trial found fuel cost savings of between 35% and 50%.

The company is now working with Innovate UK and the University of Birmingham to develop next-generation battery technology.

Rail Minister Lord Hendy said: “Rail is already the most environmentally friendly form of public transport, and the success of this trial will pave the way for even greener, more reliable journeys for millions of passengers. This technology will play a vital role as we deliver our ambitious plans to transform and decarbonise the railways.”

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, who has been involved with lobbying to get more orders for the Newton Aycliffe plant, said: “What we want to see is young people growing up in this region, coming to work at this factory, building the trains of the future. Outside of this event our Combined Authority is running an apprenticeship event and Hitachi are there, talking to pupils.

“I’m happy with the progress that has been made on the discussions with Hitachi about what happens here. We know this place has a bright future and I think this shows that it continues to think about what that future might look like. We’ve been working with Hitachi and the Department for Transport to make sure tprogress is made and everybody is positive about the future.”