Hitachi Rail Europe’s new train-building facility will be officially opened by Prime Minister David Cameron during a special ceremony later this morning.
More than three years after Hitachi’s Intercity Express Programme (IEP) deal was finally signed off, special guests and dignitaries will see the Japanese firm’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility being unveiled on Aycliff Business Park.
“It’s a day of celebration for Newton Aycliffe and the North East,” said Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson.
“It’s bringing train-building back full circle. It’s 190 years ago this month since George Stephenson’s Locomotion One was assembled at Aycliffe Lane, where the Locomotion One pub is now, before it was taken to Darlington for that famous journey to Stockton.
“It’s a fantastic day for Newton Aycliffe and the region.”
Aycliffe Today will be at today’s ceremony, and we’ll bring you more 100% subscription-free content later today and on Friday.