Ellie Ames 16 November 2023

Council ‘saddened’ by proposed job cuts at rail factory

Council ‘saddened’ by proposed job cuts at rail factory image
Image: derby.gov.uk

A council leader has urged ministers to commit to the industrial sector after the UK’s largest rail assembly factory announced 1,330 jobs are at risk in Derby.

Manufacturing company Alstom said it had no confirmed workload for its Litchurch Lane site beyond the start of next year and no ‘committed way forward’ had been found after six months of government talks on the future of the rolling stock factory.

An Alstom spokesperson said: ‘It is with deep regret that we must now begin to plan for a significant reduction in activity at Derby by entering a period of collective consultation on potential redundancies at Litchurch Lane’.

The consultation will involve potential redundancies of 550 permanent Alstom employees and 780 contractors.

The spokesperson added: ‘We remain open-minded as to the future of non-production functions located at Litchurch Lane and to potential future alternative uses for the Derby site.’

Derby City Council leader Baggy Shanker said: ‘We're saddened to hear that a solution has not yet been possible.

‘Minsters really need to commit and focus on this vital industrial sector. To date I’m disappointed that no minister has agreed to speak to us on this matter.’

The union Unite has said the proposed job losses are a ‘direct result’ of the delay in the construction of HS2, with Alstom having secured the contract to build trains for the project but work not set to begin until 2026.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: ‘There is absolutely no justification for the proposed job losses.

‘It is madness that there is a huge amount of work that Alstom could and should be bidding for but the Government has not got around to tendering for it.’

The Department for Transport said it would ‘work closely with Alstom as it continues to deliver its contractual commitments’.

A spokesperson added: ‘While this is a commercial matter for the company, we have already set up a dedicated cross-government taskforce to properly support workers at Alstom during what will be a concerning time.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Product Support Analyst

Essex County Council
£33512 - £39425 per annum + Hybrid Working
*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to work from home while still benefiting from in England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Security Architect

Essex County Council
£60049 - £70645 per annum + Hybrid Working
This is a 12 month fixed term contract or secondment opportunity.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. E England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Control Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£37602 - £45564 plus shift and weekend allowance
Are you looking for your next opportunity to work as part of a team in a 24-hour emergency control room covering the Boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth. To be responsible for receiving and logging calls from the public, outside agencies and partners. Use Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior User Centered Designer

Essex County Council
£60049 - £70645 per annum + Hybrid Working
Interviews will be held on 29th and 30th October 2025.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the fr England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Network and Communications Lead

Essex County Council
£52621 - £61906 per annum + Hybrid working
Interviews will be held W/C 20th October 2025.*Experience the best of both worlds with our flexible hybrid working arrangements. Enjoy the freedom to England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner