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| Boris Johnson: London mayor confirms £62m Wrightbus order | Boris Johnson: London mayor confirms £62m Wrightbus order |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| An additional order for 195 Routemasters for London worth £62m has been confirmed at County Antrim firm Wrightbus. | An additional order for 195 Routemasters for London worth £62m has been confirmed at County Antrim firm Wrightbus. |
| London Mayor Boris Johnson confirmed the deal on a visit to the company on Monday. | London Mayor Boris Johnson confirmed the deal on a visit to the company on Monday. |
| It will secure 300 jobs at Wrightbus. | It will secure 300 jobs at Wrightbus. |
| "Wrightbus have done a great job and the NI workforce has done a great job in producing buses that are not just much-loved by passengers on our streets but also at a good price," he said. | "Wrightbus have done a great job and the NI workforce has done a great job in producing buses that are not just much-loved by passengers on our streets but also at a good price," he said. |
| "I am aware, fully aware, of some of the difficulties that industry has had in recent times in Ballymena and I am just very proud that we are able to support a great United Kingdom business." | |
| Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have welcomed the announcement. | Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have welcomed the announcement. |
| "This latest contract not only results in almost 200 Routemaster buses servicing London but it is a timely boost for the Northern Ireland manufacturing sector," Mrs Foster said. | "This latest contract not only results in almost 200 Routemaster buses servicing London but it is a timely boost for the Northern Ireland manufacturing sector," Mrs Foster said. |
| Mr McGuinness said the latest contract put Wrightbus in the "manufacturing fast lane". | Mr McGuinness said the latest contract put Wrightbus in the "manufacturing fast lane". |
| "This follow-up order is testament to the quality of the hard work and skill of their workforce and the benefits to our economy will extend beyond the gates of Wrightbus," he added. | "This follow-up order is testament to the quality of the hard work and skill of their workforce and the benefits to our economy will extend beyond the gates of Wrightbus," he added. |
| Mr Johnson is also expected to visit two other manufacturers on Monday who supply parts for London buses and trains. | Mr Johnson is also expected to visit two other manufacturers on Monday who supply parts for London buses and trains. |
| Later, he will address a business gathering hosted by the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce. | Later, he will address a business gathering hosted by the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce. |
| Mr Johnson backs a UK withdrawal from the European Union, but a majority of chamber members are said to support continued membership, believing a so-called Brexit would damage the local economy. | Mr Johnson backs a UK withdrawal from the European Union, but a majority of chamber members are said to support continued membership, believing a so-called Brexit would damage the local economy. |
| Prime Minister David Cameron was in Northern Ireland on Saturday as part of his UK tour to persuade voters that membership of a reformed EU is in their best interests. | Prime Minister David Cameron was in Northern Ireland on Saturday as part of his UK tour to persuade voters that membership of a reformed EU is in their best interests. |
| Earlier this month, Transport for London (TfL) gave the green light on financing the new Wrightbus order,. | Earlier this month, Transport for London (TfL) gave the green light on financing the new Wrightbus order,. |
| The intervening weeks have been spent smoothing out the contract's finer details. | The intervening weeks have been spent smoothing out the contract's finer details. |
| TfL had been told that without the new order, Wrightbus would close its Routemaster production line in March. | TfL had been told that without the new order, Wrightbus would close its Routemaster production line in March. |
| Wrightbus has had two previous orders for 805 Routemasters. | Wrightbus has had two previous orders for 805 Routemasters. |
| The company has its headquarters in Ballymena, with another plant in Antrim, and employs about 1,500 workers. | The company has its headquarters in Ballymena, with another plant in Antrim, and employs about 1,500 workers. |