HS2 supply chain
Potential train manufacturers for HS2 acclaim the benefits that the project will bring to the UK supply chain.
MANUFACTURERS hoping to win the £7 billion deal to build HS2 rolling stock welcomed the Royal Assent decision.
On February 23, Nick Crossfield, Managing Director for Alstom UK & Ireland, said: “At Alstom, we live and breathe high speed rail, and it is clear to us that HS2 is the most important investment in Britain’s’ railways for over 100 years.
“It will bring huge benefits to passengers. But even more crucial is the legacy of skills, apprenticeships and jobs it will create, all over the country. With the widest range of trains and infrastructure solutions on the market, Alstom stands ready to help make this brand new railway a reality.”
Jo Hensher, Bid Director, HS2 Rolling Stock at Siemens, said: “As a long-time supporter of HS2, Siemens is delighted that the HS2 Bill has gained Royal Assent. HS2 presents an opportunity to set a new benchmark for the passenger experience of rail travel in the future, and will truly transform connectivity between some of the biggest cities in the UK.
“We believe HS2 can be a real driver for economic growth, and will undoubtedly make a major contribution towards rebalancing the economy away from the South East and London. It will not only significantly improve capacity across the network by alleviating pressure on already congested lines, it will also go a long way to making Britain the most connected island in the world, delivering a long-term solution to a very real problem.
“Royal Assent also gives companies like Siemens the confidence to make the necessary investments in their local supply chains and skills base, to make HS2 happen. Siemens is committed to working with British suppliers, and we currently support over 56,000 UK jobs through our UK supply chain.
“The UK deserves a world-class high-speed railway and we hope to help make that happen, drawing on our high-speed experience from countries including Spain, Turkey, Germany, the Netherlands and here in the UK, where we have delivered the E320 Eurostar - the country’s only very high speed train.”
Responding to a question about skills from Liverpool Riverside MP Louise Ellman, in a debate on HS2 in the House of Commons the same day, Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling said: “I take this very seriously. We have been very clear when letting contracts - most recently in the information that we put into the market about rolling stock - that we expect this project to leave a lasting skills footprint not just in the areas of construction but around the UK.
“A number of events have been held for potential suppliers to the project around the UK, and we have been very clear with all firms, both UK and international, that want to bid to be part of it, that we expect them to leave that footprint. It is an essential part of the project.”