Alstom: Hundreds of firms campaign to save Derby's Alstom

Alstom said it needed an order of 10 trains to restart production lines

Hundreds of businesses are backing a campaign to help save Alstom's rail assembly factory in Derby.

Marketing Derby, the city council and 200 businesses are asking the government to commit to more orders.

Alstom said it needed an order of 10 trains to restart production lines, but the government has committed to five.

The government said it remained "in close contact with Alstom to secure a sustainable future for rail manufacturing at Derby".

If the Litchurch Lane factory does close, the UK would be the only nation in the G7 without a site able to design, develop and manufacture trains, the firm said

Alstom previously said 1,300 permanent jobs could go, and there were major concerns about the knock-on effect for other businesses in the supply chain.

John Forkin, managing director from Marketing Derby, said - with the support of local businesses - they would be writing to the prime minister and asking for a meeting with the transport secretary.

He added they sent an email asking for support on Wednesday afternoon, and within two hours, they had more than 200 responses.

He said: "We have launched the campaign because this week in particular, we have become very, very concerned that the closure of the Alstom factory on Litchurch Lane seems to be getting closer and closer.

"The city council, Marketing Derby, the Derby Rail Forum and lots of Marketing Derby bondholders - who are businesses based in the city and around the city - have lost patience.

"We really need to put the community voice into that field to support Alstom's case to save the factory."

Alstom make Aventra trains, which Marketing Derby say there is demand for

He added: "For five additional trains, what the government gets is the largest train manufacturing plant in the UK survives.

"There is nothing to dislike in this deal; it just needs a sense of urgency."

A representative from the Litchurch Lane site said: "We are humbled by the support from local stakeholders in helping Alstom secure a sustainable future for our historic site, which has been proud to call Derby its home for 147 years.

"Their efforts underlie the importance of Derby Litchurch Lane to the economies of Derby, the East Midlands and the UK as a whole."

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Rail manufacturing plays an important role in growing the UK economy and delivering better services for passengers.

"The government is committed to supporting the entire sector."