Bombardier to stay in the Midlands

TRAINMAKER Bombardier has confirmed that it will be staying in Derby, at least until 2014.

But it warned its 1600-strong workforce that it would need to win new contracts if the Litchurch Lane factory is to remain open for the long-term.

The firm has been weighing up its options since the Government decided to award the £1.4b Thameslink contract to German firm Siemens last summer. Bombardier’s failure to secure that contract led to it shedding 1400 jobs.

But last month the firm started recruiting again on the back of winning a £18m contract to build 130 Electrostar carriages for Southern Railway.

And at a series of briefings, which took place at the factory, bosses told workers that the factory would remain open until at least 2014.

The contracts that hold the key to Bombardier remaining in Derby include the eVoyager project and the £1bn Crossrail deal.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening said Bombardier’s decision to stay in the UK is “great news for Bombardier and for Derby”.