A new £82m Hitachi train factory has been officially opened in County Durham.
The new plant in Newton Aycliffe will manufacture high-speed Intercity trains for the East Coast and Great Western main lines. The plant will create over 700 new jobs in the railway and manufacturing industry.
The plant cost £82m and has been well received by the area as an economic boost. The site will employ local people and has used local companies throughout the construction of the plant.
Prime Minister David Cameron was at the opening ceremony and said that the investment and creation of the plant was a “show of confidence” in the North East.
“This is Hitachi’s first factory in Europe and their massive investment is a sign of their commitment to the United Kingdom and a real show of confidence in our economy and of confidence in the North East,” he said.
“I think this is a really big moment for the region. Train manufacturing has come back to the North East.”
The first Hitachi trains are due to run on the Great Western main line from 2017 and the East Coast main line from 2018.
