Advertisement

New Hitachi facility opens in Newton Aycliffe

Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

Hitachi’s new state-of-the-art train building facility opens today in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. The 5.7 billion pound Intercity Express Programme will build trains for the East Coast and Great Western main line and AT200 commuter trains for Scotland. The £82 million factory will employ 700 people.

Hitachi Ltd Chairman and CEO, Hiroaki Nakanishi, welcomed the Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin MP and Rail Minister Claire Perry MP, along with over 500 invited guests, to the opening ceremony and for guided tours of the state-of-the-art rail vehicle manufacturing facility.

Welcoming the opening, Prime Minister David Cameron said:

This massive investment from Hitachi shows confidence in the strength of Britain’s growing economy. This new train facility will not only provide good jobs for working people but will build the next generation of intercity trains, improving travel for commuters and families, as well as strengthening the infrastructure we need to help the UK grow.

– Prime Minister David Cameron

The day began with the ceremonial sealing of a time capsule by Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin MP and Mr Higashihara, President and COO of Hitachi Ltd.

The time capsule included a small model of Hitachi’s Class 800/801 IEP train, digital photos of trains painted by local school children, a map of Newton Aycliffe, profile of site architect Masayuki Ninomiya and a mobile phone with photos and videos.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin MP said:

The state-of-the-art IEP trains that will be manufactured here will transform rail travel for countless passengers between London, the north east and south west. Not only will these trains allow us to operate more services, with more seats, and faster journeys, the improvements will also bring great opportunities for growth, generating hundreds of jobs in the local area and thousands across the country within the supply chain.

We are investing record amounts in transport, not just to help people get around, but to help people get on. The opening of this world-class Hitachi facility is a prime example of the strength and opportunities of the Northern Powerhouse and is a welcome addition to the historical culture of rail excellence in this region.

– Patrick McLoughlin MP