April 09, 2024

The Big Interview - Alstom Derby one minute to midnight - MD Nick Crossfield

32 minutes

Nick Crossfield, Managing Director of Alstom's UK and Ireland business discusses the background to the desperate situation at the Alstom Derby UK manufacturing train building factory, where closure through lack of orders is a real possibility. It would have devastating consequences for the men and women who work there and on the UK's credibility in global rail vehicle manufacturing.

We discuss how in December last year, Secretary of State Mark Harper committed that a package which included around 90 additional Aventra carriages that could be used to provide much needed extra capacity on London's booming Elizabeth line would be signed, sealed and delivered by the end of January 2024. But that deadline came and went.

We also hear how if the UK government makes the decision to order those extra carriages, Alstom will invest yet more in Derby, with the result that Derby becomes the centre of excellence for Alstom's new electric commuter train worldwide. An export story to be proud of.

This is a story of government and civil service bureaucracy, procrastination and world-class dithering. At stake, around 15 ,000 jobs in the factory as well as the local and regional supply chain. Nick explains how it's still possible to save the factory. But for Derby, it's one minute to midnight.

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Credits:

Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)

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