Derby City Council has confirmed plans from the UK government to order new Elizabeth Line trains from Alstom’s UK rolling stock factory.
This follows news from the end of 2023 that the manufacturer was planning to cease rolling stock production at its Litchurch Lane facility due to delays in future contracts.
Indeed, the delayed order for HS2 trains created a significant gap in Alstom’s production plan, with work on the new rolling stock postponed to commence in late 2026.
As a result, Alstom commenced a redundancy consultation for its Derby manufacturing staff, putting more than 1,300 jobs at risk in the city.
Now, in response to communication with Derby City Council, Mark Harper MP has stated that a total of ten Elizabeth line trains have been approved in principle for manufacture at the Derby site. This includes five confirmed in March and a further five approved in April.
If this deal is completed, the invaluable order will enable Alstom to commit to the site’s continued operation.
“Mr Harper has outlined in his response that a further five Elizabeth line trains have been approved in principle for manufacture at the Derby site. This is in addition to the five trains that were confirmed in March, will make a total of ten trains.
“Alstom can now commit to the site in the short and long term, protecting valuable manufacturing and engineering jobs in our city. I'm especially pleased that Alstom has committed to basing the new global Adessia commuter train platform here in Derby - that's a real win.
“We will continue to press the Government to complete the deal and commit to keeping this industry alive in the city, especially for the 1300 jobs that are at risk. Without these orders and the promise of future support, we will lose train-making in the UK forever and put almost two centuries of local rail heritage at risk.
“As a city, we’ll continue to work closely with our partners at Alstom and with the Secretary of State to bridge this gap and keep train making in Derby. The Government needs to ensure rail procurement is better planned in the future to avoid this feast and famine approach to train building in the UK.
“I’d like to thank everyone in Team Derby who has come together to give their support on such a vital issue for the prosperity of our city.”
