UK train factories at risk of closure
Aventra electric multiple unit (EMU), built for South West Rail, at Alstom's Derby production site
Alstom
With manufacturing jobs threatened and train factories at risk of closure, there have been calls for the UK government to make immediate decisions on the building and upgrading of rolling stock. Leading the chorus has been the Railway Industry Association (RIA), the vociferous champion of the supply chain in the UK. The Government for its part is reportedly working urgently with train manufacturer Alstom to secure the jobs of its staff and suppliers in its Derby factory, the UK’s largest train factory.
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Without HS2, old rolling stock could of been a priority, keeping the manufacturing industry with plenty of orders and improving the existing public transport, plus jobs and apprenticeships for the uk industrys future.
Especially with cars being forced off the road with ulez, caz, 20mph limit, high fuel cost and increased road fund licence.
Dont you just love this government!
The rail industry in Britain is in desperate need of long-term planning of both infrastructure and rolling stock. This would encourage substantial investment in manufacturing machinery and the training and recruitment of new staff. Instead, government looks no further than the five year life of a parliament and the Treasury is obsessed with short term cash saving which actually raises long term costs.
Why is it that the government has to keep baling out all these companies, the rail network is owned by the government, the rolling stock is private companies,.
Look no further than the privatisation of railways and the horizontal rather than vertical division of the industry.
Alstom is a large global company with sales and activities in many countries. They could choose to use the Derby factory to fulfil rolling stock orders for other countries.