Talgo hoping to begin work on new Fife train factory next year

Spanish firm’s plans to go before councillors this week

Work on constructing the world’s most advanced train manufacturing facility in Fife could start next summer, if planning permission is granted this week.

Spanish firm Talgo – which specialises in high-speed tilting trains – intends to initially employ 1,000 workers in the kingdom.

Plans for its multi-million-pound factory on the site of the Longannet power station, near Kincardine, have been recommended for conditional approval by council officials.

The project is dependent on winning manufacturing contracts either in Britain or internationally, but Talgo UK’S managing director, Jon Veitch, said he was confident of winning a major award next year.

Talgo has been shortlisted to provide vehicles for the HS2 railway project.

“The contract for rolling stock for HS2 is worth £2.7 billion,” Mr Veitch said.

“There’s a limit to what I can say as it’s currently being evaluated but we have submitted the best bid I’ve ever seen anywhere in the world.

“We are expecting to hear about HS2 in the middle of next year but it’s not the only show in town.

“Our two Spanish factories are at capacity and our Fife plans are based on winning work in the UK or anywhere else in the world.”

Mr Veitch said the company expects to have “spades in the ground” in June.

The power station site is currently being demolished by Scottish Power.

He said the investment would be much greater than the £40 million investment figure previously cited.

Building the vast factory is scheduled to take between 18 and 20 months.

“After that it will take until the autumn of 2023, with the recruitment, training and the technology transfer between here and Spain,” he said.

“The 1,000 jobs figure is extremely precise and will be supported by at least 5,000 indirect jobs.

“It’s been a long-held aim by Talgo to come to the UK, the birthplace of the railways, and we are planning for success.”

Initially, Talgo looked at 30 locations in the UK before selecting Longannet.

Mr Veitch said: “One of the overriding things for me was the testing and acceptance of trains – it’s one of the key elements – the ability to test trains in a safe environment.

“I want to make it clear we are not just planning to assemble trains in Fife. We will be manufacturing – sheets of aluminium at one end and trains at the other.”

The plans will be considered at Wednesday’s Fife Council central and west planning committee.

Planners have recommended it be approved subject to a number of conditions, including the remediation of former coal mining.

“The 1,000 jobs figure is extremely precise and will be supported by at least 5,000 indirect jobs. JON VEITCH, TALGO UK MANAGING DIRECTOR

Spanish company Talgo wants to assemble its high-speed trains at Longannet in Fife.