Responding to news that the Department for Transport (DfT) has signed the deal with Hitachi Rail Europe which will bring a high tech rail assembly plant to Newton Aycliffe the Leader of Durham County Council, Cllr Simon Henig, said: “This is a hugely significant moment for County Durham. Rail manufacturing is coming home, returning to where it all began and to the people who played such a key role in its history. It gives me great pleasure to know that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of our younger residents in particular now have fresh hope for careers in manufacturing and engineering for the foreseeable future. I have no doubt at all that Hitachi will have much to benefit from choosing Newton Aycliffe for its base. As a council it is our pledge to do everything possible to continue to attract, retain and support business and job creation in County Durham. Hitachi has played an important role in ensuring the world is looking at our county and we will make the most of this fantastic opportunity.”
Working with partners including Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson and site owners Merchant Place Developments, the council played a significant role in bringing Hitachi to Newton Aycliffe. The authority’s Leader, Cllr Simon Henig, formed part of the influential group which successfully lobbied the DfT to progress the production of the next generation of passenger trains with Hitachi Rail Europe. Since then Business Durham, has supported and organised an event hosted by the Xcel Centre attended by more than 1,500 people interested in being part of the fit out and supply chain linked to the Hitachi development.
