New £1bn deal for dual-powered trains destined for Yorkshire
A £1bn investment deal in 29 British-made trains destined for Yorkshire’s train tracks was signed yesterday between the Government and a Derby-based firm.
The new train class, dubbed Adessia, will cut journey times between Manchester and York by 14 minutes, and will be ready in time for the completion of the Transpenine route upgrade, which remains on time and under budget.
The Transpenine main line route stretches for 70 miles between Manchester and York, via Huddersfield and Leeds, serving 23 stations.
The new trains will effectively be dual powered, in a UK first for a main line route, with the trains running at 110 mph while using the newly-electrified sections of track, and at 100 mph while using battery power, having recharged while on the electrified parts.
The Government says the decision to build them in Britain will directly support more than 350 high-skilled jobs, as well as 40 apprentices, along with a further 6,000 jobs across the supply chain, generating around £360m for the national economy.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander signed the deal at the Alstom plant in Derby yesterday, and said: “Passengers will be able to wave goodbye to overcrowded, delayed diesel trains and step onboard faster electric trains which are fit for the future.
“From Alstom’s factory floor in Derby to supply chains across the country, this deal will deliver growth, jobs, opportunity and better transport links for generations to come."
She went on to say: “These trains will unlock the benefit of the multi-billion pound Transpenine route upgrade. That’s a major project that will slash journey times, with over 70 miles of electrified tracks, and improved reliability.
“Because we do have to be honest, that the public who are travelling in the North of England have had to tolerate a second-rate railway for far too long.
“I think we are bringing back hope to communities, and the trains that are manufactured here will be the physical embodiment of that hope.”
The trains, which are due to be built from 2028 and enter service from winter 2034, will all be wheelchair accessible, with more luggage space and onboard WiFi, as well as increased capacity of 30 per cent.
Chris Jackson, Managing Director at TransPennine Express, said: “This is a transformational £1bn investment in the future of rail travel across the North, delivering new trains for our customers as well as new infrastructure, new jobs and long-term economic benefits.
“Our customers will benefit from more seats and better accessibility, including level boarding.
“Britain has a proud railway heritage, and this project puts the UK at the forefront of the next generation of cleaner rail technology.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: "I've lost count of the number of times someone has stopped me to tell me about the train that never came. And when that happens, it means missed shifts, missed appointments, and missed opportunities.
"Today that starts to change. These 29 new trains will bring faster, more reliable journeys to the North, and thousands of British jobs for the next generation. It’s exactly what Great British Railways is all about - taking back control of the basics and getting Britain believing again.”