Firm supplying trains to TfW goes into in administration

TESTING AND TRAINING FOR FIVE NORTH WALES ROUTES NOW ON HOLD

A TRAIN firm supplying Transport for Wales has gone into administration.

Welsh Government signed a deal with Vivarail to supply Class 230 trains (pictured) on the LlandudnoBlaenau Ffestiniog, WrexhamBidston and Crewe-Chester routes.

The five trains have been delivered but had not yet entered service as testing and trainingwas due. But this has been placed on hold as the company has entered administration, although it is fully owned by franchise operator Transport for Wales (TfW).

TfW said it is focused on bringing the trains – which use the bodyshells of withdrawn London Underground trains – to the rail network. They are currently earmarked for Wrexham-Bidston, while the new Class 197s, assembled by CAF in Newport, are going on the Llandudno-Blaenau Ffestiniog route.

The administration comes just as TfW secured permission from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to allow two trains an hour on the WrexhamBidston line, rather than the current one.

A TfW spokesperson said:

“We welcome the

ORR verdict for the Wrexham-Bidston line, which includes 24 of our 26 requested paths. We still have a strong ambition to deliver both a full twice-hourly service and increased frequency directly into Liverpool for the North Wales Metro, and we’ll continue to work with all partners to expand the capacity of the line.

“We’re planning to introduce the twice-hourly service on the Wrexham-Bidston line once the Class 230s have entered service. “However, testing and training is currently on hold following the recent announcement from Vivarail.

“We’ll be in a position to provide an updated statement in the coming days, but our focus remains to bring our Class 230 units into service on our network. We’re currently planning for this to take place during 2023.”

Jon Roden, Helen Dale and Andrew Charters of Grant Thornton UK LLP have been appointed joint administrators of Vivarail Ltd, which employed 70 staff.

They said: “As is the challenge of many innovative and early-stage businesses set on redefining what is possible across traditional sectors such as the rail industry, the increasingly difficult operating environment and delays to the anticipated upscaling of key net-zero projects and pilots, has contributed further to a funding shortfall for the company that has not been capable of resolution in the timescales available.

“Despite a rapid exploration of the market in recent weeks, aimed at identifying fresh capital/new ownership capable of addressing this shortfall and bridging through to a more commercially sustainable position, no solution capable of delivery has been identified.

“The company has therefore today announced that is has appointed administrators from Grant Thornton UK LLP.”

Mr Roden said: “We have supported Vivarail in rapidly exploring market appetite for the provision of further investment.

“However, no solution capable of delivery in the very limited time available has been identified.

“Whilst it has not been appropriate to continue to trade the Vivarail business in administration, we have presently retained a core team of c.30 employees and would urge any parties interested in the business and/or its assets to contact us urgently.

“Outside of these final discussions, our primary focus is to now work alongside Vivarail’s customers and other key stakeholders with a view to enhancing the return to creditors under difficult circumstances.”