Doubt clouds plan for new train fleet

Nov 26 2009 by William Green, The Journal

It was up to the representatives of the region to prove the business case to secure funding, he told The Journal.

Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland, who sits on the Commons transport committee, said: “We are obviously very keen to get this plant in Gateshead and we are all working towards that decision. We would hope to get a decision before the General Election.”

Mr Hammond said: “The Government announced these new trains to a great fanfare last February and East Coast main line passengers will be surprised to learn that nine months later there is still no sign the contracts will be signed soon. Labour incompetence is yet again letting people down.”

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “Commercial negotiations are continuing on a confidential basis.”

A spokeswoman for Agility Trains said: “We have been in very intense conversations with the Department for Transport to really file every single detail of the contract.

“We are talking about very technical details of the trains and specifications. With a programme of this size, it takes a considerable amount of time.

“That is why there hasn’t been a contract yet, but we are hoping there will be one early next year.”

She said no decision had yet been made on the location of the plant, but added: “We are hoping to announce that at the same time we announce the contract with the Department for Transport.”

The contract discussion should have no impact on the schedule of the train manufacture, according to the spokeswoman.