By Martin Walker What a day! It started at 7am this morning, when the official announcement was confirmed by the Government. Shortly after, Aycliffe Today reported that Hitachi Rail Europe’s £4.5bn Intercity Express Programme was coming to Newton Aycliffe. As usual, we’ve brought you unrivalled coverage of what MP Phil Wilson...

By Martin Walker Woodham Community College say their new-look uniform and school logo won’t be the only obvious change this summer. Woodham will officially convert to an Academy in September, and a wide change in branding as well as new décor will be the obvious cosmetic difference. But headteacher Christine Forsyth has told...

By Martin Walker Transport secretary Justine Greening visited Newton Aycliffe to deliver the fantastic news about Hitachi this afternoon. The Government this morning confirmed the £4.5bn deal with Agility Trains, a consortium led by Hitachi Rail Europe. Ms Greening stood with Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson at the Amazon Park site, near...

Woodham students and their parents attended the launch of Woodham Football Academy last week. Woodham Football Academy offers high-quality coaching to talented players in all age groups from U12s to U16s. The coaching is delivered by ex-professional footballer, Neil Maddison, from Premier Player Football Academy and Woodham Sports...

    Hitachi Rail Europe have sent Aycliffe Today some computer-generated videos of the Intercity Express Programme and what their £77m train-building facility will look like. Go to our Video Vault to see them now  ...

By Martin Walker The Government’s announcement this morning has revealed the long-awaited Hitachi contract will actually bring more than 900 jobs to Newton Aycliffe. The initial plans for the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) outlined Hitachi’s new factory will bring 200 new jobs in its construction and 500 once...

Responding to today’s 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,...

By Martin Walker Hitachi’s £4.5bn Intercity Express Programme (IEP) has finally been officially signed and sealed by the Government, it was announced this morning. Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson, who played a huge part in realising the Hitachi dream, has told Aycliffe Today it represents a “truly monumental deal” for Newton Aycliffe...

Aycliffe Today attended Hitachi’s construction open day at the Xcel Centre a month ago to bring extensive coverage from the day. Click on the links below to read the various features, which tell you everything you need to know about Hitachi Rail Europe’s £4.5bn Intercity Express Programme. HITACHI OPEN DAY SUCCESS HITACHI THE...

By Martin Walker Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson, who played a huge part in realising the Hitachi dream, has told Aycliffe Today it represents a “truly monumental deal” for Newton Aycliffe and the region. Hitachi Rail Europe’s initial £77m factory on Amazon Park, which is expected to be open for business in 2014, will bring 200 jobs in...