French train manufacturer, Alstom is preparing to slow down, and eventually stop production this week, at its biggest assembly facility, in Derby, UK. That means, about 3,000 jobs may be axed.
The UK government has cancelled a section of the HS2 high-speed line. New train commissions for the same have also been postponed. Unless the company is guaranteed more orders by the British government, it will consider moving its production to Poland or India.
The company is readying to introduce a commuter train-manufacturing platform, Adessia, which can churn out battery and hydrogen-powered rolling stock. These trains will take the place of Aventra trains, which were produced at Derby, for several railway networks. However, in the absence of any guarantee regarding future orders from the government, Alstom has decided to stop production, putting 3,000 employees at risk of being rendered jobless. Discussions with the Department of Transport about future orders have borne no fruit either.
Contracts of about 1,300 workers have already been terminated.
It is reported that these 3,000 jobs at the plant further support 12,000 to 15,000 jobs in the national supply chain. That means, the impact of this plant’s closure will be widespread.
It is expected that by May, activity at the plant will be nil.
Meanwhile, in India, Alstom has delivered the first batch of two three-car trains to the Bhopal and Indore Metro Rail Corporation (MPMRCL). These were locally assembled at a factory in Savli.
