Rail Professional opinion Katie Silvester, editor
Can the Derby works be saved?
News of the 1,400 job losses at Bombardier’s Derby works is very sad and bad news for the rail industry. But it’s not as dire as it could be, unless, of course, you are one of the 1,400. The plant has not been consigned to history, quite – the talk is of downsizing, not total closure. Yet. That means there is still time for the government to
consider whether some work could be pushed Bombardier’s way in the not too distant future. Chris Irwin of TravelWatch SouthWest points out that new rolling stock is needed for the south west (page 23). Could this order be brought forward? Procurement for the ‘next big order’ – Crossrail – has already begun. Bombardier has
been shortlisted, but the process will have begun under the existing procurement process. And, because bidders have been asked to submit bids based on existing rolling stock designs, Siemens will be in a very strong position if it puts forward its Desiro City again, having won the Thameslink contract with it. It’s curious that none of the three main political parties seem to have noticed Bombardier’s predicament until now, despite all the company’s lobbying. Now transport secretary Philip Hammond, along with senior Lib Dems and Labour MPs (see page 6), are saying: ‘Hang on, how come Germany and France keep awarding contracts to manufacturers in their own countries when we seem to be under the impression we’re not allowed to do that?’ But this is not a new situation; it’s come about over several years because, firstly, there
has not been any rolling stock orders in the last two and half years – Thameslink and IEP are still at ‘preferred bidder’ stage – and secondly because the aforementioned contracts have not gone to Bombardier. The Transport Select Committee is to examine the decision to award the Thameslink contract to Siemens (page 6). Its report should make interesting reading – the committee doesn’t pull its punches and has no qualms about criticising the government, no matter which party is in power. However, there needs to be more than just a closer look at Thameslink; we need
a review of rolling stock procurement processes as soon as possible – and a review of rolling stock policy, so that in the future, a steady stream of orders can replace the current untenable ‘feast and famine’ situation. At the moment it’s all or nothing – staff have to be laid off when there are long gaps between orders, then new contractors need to be brought in and trained up when a large order is won. Agencies supplying temporary workers do quite nicely out of it, but the cost of using them would be saved if a steady workforce could be maintained. Once upon a time there were multiple carriage and locomotive works around the
UK, with plenty of work for all. While these halcyon days are long gone, it would be nice to see more of a commitment from foreign manufacturers to building trains in the UK, if they are to be winning large contracts over here. Hitachi has said it may move towards building here if it wins more UK work – at the moment it will just be doing final assembly work here. Siemens rolling stock’s UK boss Steve Scrimshaw has said ‘never say never’ to the idea of building in the UK – but Siemens has no current plans to do much more than maintenance work over here, though it has committed to doing some training and R&D in the UK. Robert Wright (pages 16-17) looks at the potential pitfalls of automatically awarding rolling stock contracts to Bombardier.
PAGE 4 AUGUST 2011
News in brief
Highland services increase
Daily services on the Highland Main Line are to be increased by two in each direction throughout the week, the Scottish government has announced. Timetable changes this winter will also boost the number of direct Glasgow to Dundee services, and provide extra commuter journeys between Elgin and Inverness.
Southern gets IIP
Investors in People accreditation has been awarded to Southern, following interviews with more than 400 of its staff showing the operator had engaged fully with its workforce on such issues as recognition, leadership capabilities and opportunities for personal growth and development. Senior management were also quizzed on strategic goals and clarity.
Planning application lodged
Southwark Council has received a planning application from Network Rail for redevelopment of London Bridge station, and has asked for both listed building consent to demolish the train shed roof and conservation area consent for demolition of the former South Eastern Railway building. Plans include a large ground level concourse.
Selrap applies for RGF cash
Skipton to East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (Selrap) has applied for £40m in funding from the government’s Regional Growth Fund, as part of its campaign to reinstate the ‘missing rail link’ between Skipton and Colne.
Special to raise funds
A steam special will be running from Berlin to Hannover on 12 May, 2012 in celebration of the British Military Train, which was operated during the Cold War by the British, East German and West German military. Proceeds from the trip will go the Royal British Legion. For more information, email:
militarytrain2012@gmail.com
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