Stadler, the company who won the contract to build the new fleet of trains for the Tyne and Wear alongside a new maintenance contract and the rebuilding of South Gosforth, have confirmed they will be “making localism a key tent of the project” with a series of local firms appointed to deliver on the overall project.
Included in these companies is Thompsons of Prudhoe who have been contracted to demolish parts of the current depot at South Gosforth which will start soon with the entire complex being redeveloped to cater for the new trains, which are due to enter service from 2023. Several other local companies have also been taken on for the project including Consultive Solutions, Ryder Architecture, CSM Architects and Advance365.
Stadler have committed to using local suppliers for materials and services for the depot redevelopment, manufacturing of the new trains and the 35 year service and maintenance contract, although the actual construction of the vehicles will take place in Switzerland.
Rob Baxter, Stadler Rail Service UK Managing Director, said: “Stadler has a 35-year contract to service and maintain the new fleet for the Tyne and Wear Metro, and in the interim we have taken over maintaining the legacy fleet. We will do everything we can to ensure that regional businesses and institutions capitalise on this exciting, long-term project, which over the next couple of years, will see us supply state-of-the-art trains for the region. The appointment of Thompsons of Prudhoe and other regional firms is testament to our commitment to localism.”
Neil Blagburn, Metro Development Director, added: “The programme to deliver our new train fleet and Metro depot is also delivering a much-needed boost to local businesses in North East England in difficult times. It’s a hugely exciting moment as we see more local firms joining the supply chain on this huge programme that is going to transform the Tyne and Wear Metro. “When Stadler won the contract to design, build and maintain our new fleet they gave a commitment to put in place new supply chains here in the region. We are now seeing this become a reality. “My congratulations to all of the local firms who have secured work as part of the Fleet Replacement Programme and we look forward to working with them.”
A computerised image of one of the new trains in its predominantly yellow based livery. (Image courtesy of Stadler Rail UK)