Transport secretary intervenes to save train-building plant

Transport secretary Louise Haigh is reported to have intervened in the crisis at Hitachi’s train-building plant in Newton Aycliffe, which is endangered by a lack of orders. A similar problem had occurred at Alstom’s works in Litchurch Lane Derby, but a new order for 10 Elizabeth Line trains worth �370 million has saved the Derby plant, at least for now. Hitachi at Newton Aycliffe was opened in 2015 to assemble Intercity Expresses which have since been delivered to GWR and LNER.