01.01.12
A new depot for Derby
Source: Rail Technology Magazine Dec/Jan 2012
The rail industry in Derby has not fully recovered from Bombardier’s loss to Siemens for the Thameslink rolling stock, but Network Rail is determined to invest in the city, with plans for a new depot which will become its regional headquarters. Michelle Craven, vice-chair of the DDRF, speaks to RTM.
Network Rail has confirmed that is to centralise some maintenance functions from around the East Midlands at a new £3m depot in Derby, which could create up to 400 jobs.
The depot will be the new maintenance base for track, power systems and signalling, as well as a materials storage centre.
It is expected to be up and running within two years on brownfield land known as Chaddesden Triangle, owned by Network Rail, assuming it gets the relevant planning permission and following consultations with employees and unions. Surplus land not used as part of the depot development will be sold off.
Michelle Craven, vice-chair of the Derby and Derbyshire Rail Forum (DDRF), told RTM: “From the news we’ve had this year, and the feeling that there is locally following the Thameslink decision, from the railway supplier side, I just think this will be a nice morale boost.
“It shows that we are still a very important railway city, notwithstanding how some people may be feeling now. We have to hope there will be opportunities for local suppliers, either those working directly in the rail supply chain, but also businesses more generally in the Derby locality and the wider East Midlands to be able to help contribute to the building of this depot and the kitting out of this depot. It’s all got to be good for the local economy.”
The future of the Bombardier works at Derby remains to be decided following its loss to Siemens for the Thameslink rolling stock contract. There is some potential work in the offing – for example, electrifying 57 CrossCountry Voyagers by adding a pantograph-equipped car to the trainsets. This has been under discussion for some time however, and the DfT has not yet signed off on it. Bombardier is also in the running to supply 130 EMUs for Southern, 23 of whose class 377 units are not now being returned to it from First Capital Connect in December 2013 as planned following delays in the Thameslink procurement process. Outgoing Bombardier chairman of Bombardier’s UK operation, Colin Walton, who also chairs the DDRF, has said getting both orders will be vital to the Derby facility’s future.
Derby's impact
Network Rail has announced that it will be looking for partners to work with it to develop the depot site. Its chief executive, David Higgins, briefly discussed the depot plan when he addressed the DDRF annual conference in the city in November, alongside Crossrail chairman Terry Morgan, East Midlands Trains managing director David Horne and Sir Roy McNulty.
Higgins said Derby will always be regarded by Network Rail as a major source and suppler of rail products and components.
RTM was at the conference when Higgins announced the depot plans, saying: “There are key suppliers and key companies based here which is why we intend to build a brand new depot in Derby.”
Craven told us: “Network Rail does already have a presence in Derby, of course, and there’s always been a strong link. When they opened the signalling centre, for example, that was fantastic for Derby – to have such a state-of-the-art facility. This new depot will just cement those links.”
Derby’s last big depot to open was the new Etches Park facility for the maintenance of East Midlands Trains’ Meridian fleet in May 2010.
Devolution
At the DDRF conference, Higgins also made clear to those working in the supply chain that Network Rail’s new devolved structure will have a big impact on them, and told them to ensure they got to know Martin Frobisher, route managing director for the East Midlands.
Craven said: “I think they did get David Higgins’ message that Martin Frobisher is now the man to go to. It makes suppliers feel the door is open. It’s more accessible for them than if everything’s being centrally managed from London or Birmingham or wherever else. The fact that Martin will have responsibility for looking after the network in this region will help make people feel there’s a ‘route in’.”
Network Rail has yet to give full details on which other East Midlands sites will be closed down or scaled back when works are centralised at Derby, but it is thought that some staff currently based in Leicester will be moving.
John Forkin, director of Marketing Derby, welcomed the depot announcement, saying: “This is very good news and exactly the sort of tonic the city needs. It helps cement Derby’s place as the country’s most important centre for the rail industry.”
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