Bombardier wins £1bn Crossrail deal

Bombardier, which has suffered contract disappointment in the past from overseas opposition, beat Japan’s Hitachi and Spanish firm CAF to the lucrative contract.

A total of 65 trains will be built in Derby in a deal which will support 760 UK manufacturing jobs and 80 apprenticeships.

Rail, Maritime and Transport union general secretary Bob Crow said: “This is a fantastic and deserved result, coming after a long-running campaign led by RMT and the local community in Derby in the wake of the Thameslink fleet shambles, which will go a long way to saving the future of train building in the nation that gave the railways to the world.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “As well as providing a great boost to Bombardier and the Midlands this decision represents a real vote of confidence in British manufacturing, supporting 760 UK manufacturing jobs and 80 apprenticeships.

“The Government has been working hard with industry to support the UK rail supply chain to maximise growth opportunities through contracts like this.

“Our industrial strategy is giving business the confidence to invest - securing high-skilled jobs and a stronger economy.”