Order for 10 new trains could solve Alstom order desert

 
Harper (right) met Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge this week

 
Rolling stock manufacturer Alstom has confirmed that it is in “intense discussions” with transport secretary Mark Harper about the future of its Derby plant and a potential order for additional rolling stock for the Elizabeth Line.

Harper later posted on social media site X, formerly Twitter, that he had had “a good, constructive meeting with Alstom Group CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge on the future of train manufacturing in the UK”. He added: “Intensive discussions are taking place, to conclude no later than the end of May.”

We are now in a period of intense discussions with the UK government and Transport for London about a potential train order for the Elizabeth Line, given the levels of passenger demand. This could help secure the future of our Derby Litchurch Lane site

In a statement, Alstom added: “We are now in a period of intense discussions with the UK government and Transport for London about a potential train order for the Elizabeth Line, given the levels of passenger demand. This could help secure the future of our Derby Litchurch Lane site.”

Alstom has warned that the Derby plant is at risk due to an impending production gap. Around 1,300 people are employed at the site, and 15,000 jobs are in the wider supply chain.

While the manufacturer has secured future orders for HS2 trains, it can only sustain the factory once these contracts commence in late 2025. Alstom has said it urgently needs a minor interim contract to maintain activity on the production lines. It is understood this would require an order of at least 10 trains.

TfL has been actively lobbying for additional rolling stock for the Elizabeth Line, which has now become Britain’s busiest rail network. The line’s success has led to services operating at near capacity during peak hours. There have also been proposals put forward to extend services to new destinations.

Those capacity issues will only increase when HS2 services commence from the interim terminus at Old Oak Common.

TfL anticipates approximately 53,000 Elizabeth Line passengers travelling eastbound between Old Oak Common and Paddington during the morning peak, with 49,000 passengers travelling westbound between Paddington and Old Oak Common during the evening peak to connect with HS2 services.

This would give us the flexibility to increase service levels in future to optimise the delivery of HS2 and support UK manufacturing in Derby

In a report last summer London transport commissioner Andy Lord confirmed TfL and DfT officials had been working closely on plans for more rolling stock and the government had “endorsed the strategic case to procure additional Class 345 Elizabeth Line trains”.

Lord continued: “This would give us the flexibility to increase service levels in future to optimise the delivery of HS2 and support UK manufacturing in Derby.”

 
This article appears in the latest issue of Passenger Transport.

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