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| New train fleet 'to boost jobs' | New train fleet 'to boost jobs' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A multi-billion pound order for a new fleet of inter-city trains is to create or safeguard 12,500 jobs, the government has announced. | A multi-billion pound order for a new fleet of inter-city trains is to create or safeguard 12,500 jobs, the government has announced. |
| A British-led consortium won the £7.5bn order to build and maintain a fleet of new "super express" trains. | A British-led consortium won the £7.5bn order to build and maintain a fleet of new "super express" trains. |
| The fleet will replace high-speed trains 20-30 years old on the Great Western and East Coast main lines. | The fleet will replace high-speed trains 20-30 years old on the Great Western and East Coast main lines. |
| A new train-making plant will be built at one of the following places - Ashby de la Zouch, Sheffield or Gateshead. | |
| As well as the new factory, there will be new depots in Bristol, Reading, Doncaster, Leeds and west London and upgrades to existing depots throughout Britain. | |
| The consortium, called Agility Trains, is made up of John Laing, Hitachi and Barclays. | The consortium, called Agility Trains, is made up of John Laing, Hitachi and Barclays. |
| The first of the new trains is scheduled to enter service on the East Coast mainline in 2013, and is hoped to be fully operational from 2015. | The first of the new trains is scheduled to enter service on the East Coast mainline in 2013, and is hoped to be fully operational from 2015. |
| 'Prepared to invest' | 'Prepared to invest' |
| The fleet will link London with Cambridge, Leeds, Hull, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh and connect London with the Thames Valley, Bristol and South Wales. | The fleet will link London with Cambridge, Leeds, Hull, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh and connect London with the Thames Valley, Bristol and South Wales. |
| Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon described the plans as the single biggest investment in inter-city trains for a generation. | Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon described the plans as the single biggest investment in inter-city trains for a generation. |
| He said: "This announcement demonstrates that this government is prepared to invest, even in difficult economic times, by improving our national infrastructure. | He said: "This announcement demonstrates that this government is prepared to invest, even in difficult economic times, by improving our national infrastructure. |
| "It is good news for the British economy that over 12,500 jobs will be created and safeguarded, good news for the regions that the government is supporting significant inward investment, and good news for passengers that we are taking the steps necessary to improve their rail journeys." | "It is good news for the British economy that over 12,500 jobs will be created and safeguarded, good news for the regions that the government is supporting significant inward investment, and good news for passengers that we are taking the steps necessary to improve their rail journeys." |
| The decision was welcomed by Alec McTavish, director of policy and operations for the Association of Train Operating Companies. | The decision was welcomed by Alec McTavish, director of policy and operations for the Association of Train Operating Companies. |
| He said: "The fleet will provide long-distance operators with the trains they need to meet the needs of a growing market and passengers with an attractive, cost-effective travel choice." | He said: "The fleet will provide long-distance operators with the trains they need to meet the needs of a growing market and passengers with an attractive, cost-effective travel choice." |
| He added that this "is essential if rail's potential to reduce the UK's carbon footprint and transport congestion is to be realised". | He added that this "is essential if rail's potential to reduce the UK's carbon footprint and transport congestion is to be realised". |