Toshiaki Higashihara says jobs at Newton Aycliffe site near Durham cannot be guaranteed without increased demand
The chair of Japan’s Hitachi has warned that its UK train factory is at risk unless the government revives the northern leg of HS2 or launches other significant infrastructure programmes within a year. In an interview with the Financial Times, Toshiaki Higashihara said the 750 jobs at the site at Newton Aycliffe near Durham could not be guaranteed unless demand increased.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will claim on Friday that a new £500mn order from First Group for 70 train cars will help secure the future of the Newton Aycliffe factory. But while the order, which is not backed by government funding, is a significant boost to the plant, it will not be enough to entirely fill production gaps, people with knowledge of the business said.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why does it cost £100m for HS2 to protect bats?Questions have been asked after HS2 said it had to apply for more than 8,000 consents.
Read more »
Politics latest: PM strikes £500m train deal protecting jobs at Hitachi factory; Tory peer forfeits CBEA gap in orders at Hitachi's Newton Aycliffe site in County Durham had sparked fears the company could put about 700 jobs at risk. But the government has announced a new contract has been struck to build 14 trains at the factory. Follow for live updates.
Read more »
Hitachi: Hundreds of jobs secured at County Durham train factory after £500m dealUncertainty had surrounded the future of the Newton Aycliffe plant and the 700 people employed there.
Read more »
HS2: Huge boring machines will make Euston final destinationThe final 4.5-mile link between Old Oak Common and central London will be completed by tunnelling.
Read more »
Alternative northern leg HS2 plans to be discussedLouise Haigh will meet with the West Midlands and Greater Manchester mayors later.
Read more »
HS2's £100m 'bat shed' protects colony of 300 that doesn't live in same woodlandThe 1km-tunnel is being built in case Bechstein's bats 'forage' or 'commute' too close to the high-speed railway line and get hit by a train
Read more »