By Martin Walker
For all those pessimists out there, Aycliffe Today think there are several reasons to be cheerful following this week’s big Hitachi event.
Whilt it is still yet to be officially signed, sealed and delivered by the government – only a matter of time, we’re told – Hitachi Rail Europe held an over-subscribed construction open day at the Xcel Centre on Aycliffe Business Park on Thursday.
During a vibrant, well-attended seminar, business leaders and work-hungry, potential contractors heard from the key people involved in the Intercity Express Programme (IEP).
Keith Jordan, managing director of Hitachi’s European division, Hitachi Rail Europe, spoke positively about his company’s initial £77m investment in the 42,700sqm factory which will create 200 jobs in its construction and 500 direct full-time jobs, plus thousands more in supply chain, once open for business.
Other main players – MP Phil Wilson and Merchant Place Developments (MPD) director Geoff Hunton – also held court, while Development Project Manager Mark Bickle, the man responsible for dishing out all contract work, arguably had every ear in the auditorium as he explained, in great detail, what work would be up for grabs.
You couldn’t fail to be impressed by a well put together series of speeches and demonstrations which left no stone unturned.
For anyone in any doubt, this represents a phenomenal deal for everyone who lives in Newton Aycliffe – not just for the businesses which will be involved, directly and indirectly, with the construction of the factory, but with all the peripheral benefits and obvious boost to the local economy.
Yes, suppliers and contractors from outside our region will win some of the work. Much of the talk at Thursday’s open day was about value for money. It would seem the most competitive quotes will probably win the jobs.
But the whole kit and kaboodle is a £4.5bn deal, so while the whole region will gain, Newton Aycliffe will stand in the eye of the Hitachi storm – and we think the benefits will be obvious and long-term.
Go to our Video Vault to see speeches by:
● Phil Wilson MP
● Hitachi Rail Europe Keith Hordan
● MPD director Geoff Hunton
● Development manager Andrew Steadman
● Project manager Mark Bickle
HITACHI THE ‘NEXT NISSAN’ FOR REGION – PHIL WILSON
HITACHI: LET’S GROW THE LOCAL COMMUNITY