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An artist's impression of one of the new trains
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Jobs boost as town part of multi-billion train order

By Paul Robins
February 13, 2009

More than 12,500 jobs are to be created or safeguarded through a multi-billion pound order for new trains, the Government announced today.

Transport secretary Geoff Hoon said passengers on some of the country’s busiest rail routes, including those through and from Reading, would benefit from the single biggest investment in intercity trains for a generation.

A £7.5 billion contract has been awarded to a British-led consortium called Agility Trains, to build and maintain a fleet of new “super express” trains for the Great Western and East Coast main lines.

The new trains will replace existing high speed trains which are 20 to 30 years old.

Agility, made up of John Laing, Hitachi and Barclays, said it would make a “significant” inward investment as part of this contract.

They will build a new train manufacturing plant in the UK, as well as depots in Reading, Bristol, Doncaster, Leeds and west London, with upgrades to existing depots throughout Great Britain.

Mr Hoon said: “This announcement demonstrates that this Government is prepared to invest, even in difficult economic times, by improving our national infrastructure.

“It is good news for the British economy that over 12,500 jobs will be created and safeguarded, good news for the regions that the Government is supporting significant inward investment, and good news for passengers that we are taking the steps necessary to improve their rail journeys.”

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well, chances are they will work. The problem is no manufacture will build the whole train in the UK, a lot of the equipment is subbed out. You look at the recent new train fleet for South west trains built by Siemens in europe- well built and works. Look at the small batch of trains built by bombardier in the uk for the Reading line, never worked well, still dont and are falling apart. I'm a big fan of British engineering, however want anyone to blame- the tories. Our train industry was killed by them when they gave up on the APT train in the 70's.

hornbeam, reading
14/02/2009 at 19:45

What he said : "British Jobs for British Workers".

What he meant : "British Jobs for Japanese Workers"

Ben Towtershape
13/02/2009 at 16:14

Geoff Hoone is spinning to the public about this, the contract was not won by a British Led consortium and there will be few UK jobs as a result. Just read the national papers today who have exposed the main beneficiary is Japan and Siemens and Bombardier are the losers (both companies employ many workers in the UK). What a shambolic Government who cannot spend our taxes (and debt) well.