Marketing Derby, Derby City Council, and hundreds of Bondholders are calling on the Government to act now to save thousands of jobs by approving a solution to prevent the closure of Alstom’s city factory.
John Forkin, MD of the inward investment agency wrote to Bondholders outlining the imminent threat posed to the future of the train-making in Derby, and within hours more than 200 had given their support for the campaign to save the factory.
Alstom’s Litchurch Lane site is the nation’s largest train factory – in operation for 185 years – and is the only UK site where trains are designed, developed, built and tested.
At risk are 1,300 direct jobs in Derby and a further 15,000 jobs in supply chains across the country.
In his letter, Mr Forkin wrote: “We urge the Government to approve the viable identified solution. The closure of Litchurch Lane would be terrible news for our city – most especially for those who work at the site and their families – as well as those who work for suppliers across the UK.
“It is not too late. A viable option for 10 new Aventra trains (as used on the Elizabeth Line) which Alstom and its supply chain can deliver immediately is available.”
Councillor Baggy Shanker, leader of Derby City Council said: “We are doing everything we can to save these jobs and the future of train manufacturing in Derby.
“Unfortunately, so far this has fallen on deaf ears, and we now need the wider Derby community to make their views known. We will not let 185 years be destroyed without a fight.”
