Heather Wheeler OBE, MP for South Derbyshire is extremely pleased that the Secretary of State has written to her to confirm that during a meeting today with Alstom that the Department of Transport has agreed to support funding for five further Elizabeth line trains, in addition to the five confirmed in March. This order enables Alstom to maintain sufficient capacity at their factory at Litchurch Lane in Derby until the confirmed new HS2 work comes onstream. This deal does remain subject to securing the necessary commercial agreements between TfL and Alstom and Alstom continuing to provide value of money for the taxpayer. The Secretary of State has also asked Alstom to confirm in writing a long-term commitment to invest in Derby, including confirmation that Alstom will host the design, development and manufacture of its Adessia platform at Litchurch Lane.
Heather Wheeler OBE MP says: “The Secretary of State for Transport’s announcement in relation to Alstom today is the cumulation of a great deal of work behind the scenes on extremely sensitive commercial negotiations. I always knew that the Secretary of State would find a way to back our brilliant rail success story around Derby. I have had many confidential discussions with him on the importance of supporting our workforce’s expertise, especially in the supply chain in South Derbyshire.
“There is now no reason why the Derbyshire rail businesses’ local expertise should not strengthen even more with this support from my Government.”
