Live updates

In Pictures: new rail factory on schedule and on time

The final piece of track leading to the Hitachi factory Credit: ITV Tyne Tees
Final piece of track that will link the Hitachi factory with the rail network Credit: ITV Tyne Tees
Photocall for some of the workers who have worked on the project Credit: ITV Tyne Tees
The line that links the factory with the main rail network Credit: ITV Tyne Tees
  1. Read more
  2. 3 updates
Multi-million pound factory on track for completion

Advertisement

Newton Aycliffe factory on right track for completion

On track for completion Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

A County Durham factory where hundreds of train carriages will be built is on target to be completed.

The final part of the track connecting the Hitachi factory at Newton Aycliffe to the rail network was laid today.

When it's finished the building will become the company's main European factory for train manufacturing, employing 700 people.

It will be the base for constructing the new Great Western Main Line and East Coast Main Line trains .

  1. Read more
  2. 3 updates
Multi-million pound factory on track for completion

Hitachi train factory 'on track' to open in 2015

The construction of a train factory in County Durham, where hundreds of new train carriages will be built for Intercity and ScotRail contracts, is on target to be completed later this year.

Hundreds of train carriages will be built at the site in Newton Aycliffe

More than 700 people will work at the plant in Newton Aycliffe, where hundreds of new train carriages will be built.

Today the final part of the track will be installed, connecting the factory to the rail network for the first time.

  1. Read more
  2. 3 updates
Multi-million pound factory on track for completion

Japanese high speed trains hurtling toward the North East

The new high speed trains destined for the North East

The first of the new generation of bullet style intercity trains for Great Western and East Coast, have rolled off the production line in Japan.

Part of a £5 billion Government project, the trains will replace the current 40 year old carriages providing extra capacity and be assembled in Newton Aycliffe.

  1. Read more
  2. 2 updates
High speed trains hurtle towards North East

Advertisement

Skills shortage "means Hitachi will recruit from Nissan"

A government advisor warned that a shortage of skilled workers in the North East of England means the train company Hitachi will have to recruit staff from nearby car manufacturer Nissan.

A Hitachi javelin train Credit: Gareth Fuller/PA

The warning was issued by Jim O'Neill, a former senior banker who is now advising the government on how to grow the UK's cities.

Hitachi will create thousands of jobs at its factory in Newton Aycliffe. But there are fears that it will only be able to fill those vacancies by taking staff from the Nissan plant in Sunderland.

  1. Read more
  2. 1 update
Skills shortage "means Hitachi will need staff from Nissan"

Government blames local enterprise partnership for MPs row

The Government has said it was the responsibility of the North East local enterprise partnership to notify an MP of an official visit to his constituency.

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson accused Stockton South's James Wharton of visiting Mr Wilson's constituency without informing him first. The Stockton South MP said he was only 'dropping off' Local Government Minister Brandon Lewis, and denies taking part in an official visit.

A spokesperson for the Department for Communities and Local Government said:

“The visit was hosted by the North East local enterprise partnership who secured £289.3million from the Government’s Local Growth Fund to support economic growth in the area.

“As part of organising that event the local enterprise partnership agreed to make all local MPs aware of the minister’s visit.”

– Spokesman, Department for Communities and Local Government
  1. Read more
  2. 2 updates
North East MPs in turf war
Load more updates