D2N2 Chief Executive David Ralph has welcomed the start of work on a £12.5 million building to test new London Crossrail trains built by Bombardier of Derby.
The new 10,400 square metre building at Bombardier’s Litchurch Lane site in Derby – designed by Nottingham architects CPMG and being built by contractor Balfour Beatty – will feature a 250 metre long hangar, to test the 65 new trains Transport for London has asked the Derby company to build, in a £1 billion deal. It is thought the contract could create up to 340 jobs by the time it is completed next February (2016).
Transport equipment manufacturing is one of the eight key sectors D2N2 has identified for its Local Enterprise Partnership catchment area of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Transport and logistics employs more than 28,000 people within the area. Along with other key sectors, D2N2 has worked and consulted with relevant businesses to create an action plan for the transport equipment manufacturing sector.
An artist’s impression of the new Bombardier testing site
D2N2 Chief Executive David Ralph said: “The rail industry plays an important role in the economic growth of the D2N2 area. The Crossrail deal is an enormous boost for Derby and the building of this new testing centre marks an important step in the delivery of our world-class manufacturing expertise to London and the wider UK.”
Andy Ward, Operations Director for Balfour Beatty, added: “We have lots of experience in delivering this type of facility through our civil engineering and building business, and we look forward to supporting our customer, Bombardier, to deliver this state-of-the-art facility.”
For more information on Bombardier’s Crossrail contract see company website www.bombardier.com
More on the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s plans for transport can be found at www.d2n2lep.org/Transport-Equipment-Manufacturing
