A LACK of new orders and no confirmed work beyond the first quarter of 2024 has seen train builder Alstom look to significantly scale back its workforce at Litchurch Lane in Derby, with a period of collective consultation for redundancies now underway.
The company has been busy in recent years completing various contracts, its most recent work including the Class 701 electric multiple units for South Western Railway, Class 720 EMUs for Greater Anglia and c2c and the Class 730 EMU fleet for West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway.
However, construction of these trains is now nearing completion and the firm is now facing the prospect of having to significantly reduce its workforce at the Derby facility. Alstom is due to partner with Hitachi on the construction of the new train fleet for HS2, but this contract is not expected to get underway for a couple of years.
It is understood that the potential job losses will be in the region of 1300, from a combination of full-time employees and contractors.
An Alstom statement issued to Railways Illustrated said: “Alstom has been working with the Government for the last seven months with the joint objective of securing a sustainable future for our rolling stock factory at Derby Litchurch Lane, which has no confirmed workload beyond the first quarter of 2024.
“No committed way forward has yet been found and it is with deep regret that we have had to start pl
