Chamber describes protection of jobs at Derby Alstom train factory as "critical"

The East Midlands Chamber has called on the Government to act urgently after Derby-based train maker Alstom confirmed that production lines at the Litchurch Lane train factory had halted, following months of talks between the government, union leaders and the company.

East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “The uncertainty at Alstom has dragged on for too long and the government need to act urgently to safeguard production at Litchurch Lane. We know that as a country we have new rolling stock needs that can be met by the highly skilled workforce we have in Derby and its wider regional supply chain – any inability to iron out the gaps in orders would represent a significant failure of national planning and have detrimental knock-on effects in Derby, Derbyshire and across the country. 

This can't be allowed to happen – it is imperative government intervention is stepped up so we can get a workable resolution that protects jobs in the sector now and for the long-term future."