Chester and Deeside lose out in bid for multi-million-pound Hitachi trains deal

Mar 10 2011 by Kathryn Quayle, Chester Chronicle

CHESTER and Deeside have missed out on a multimillion-pound boost after electrical giant Hitachi chose not to build its new manufacturing plant in the area.

At least 500 jobs would have been created if the company had taken up a proposed site on Deeside Industrial Park.

Had the site been chosen as a base for the construction of a new generation of express trains, it is estimated at least £20m a year would have been pumped into the region’s economy.

But instead, the huge project will be based in Newton Aycliffe in County Durham.

Hitachi had narrowed down an initial shortlist of 30-40 potential areas to just three last year, including Deesid.

Hitachi spokeswoman Daniela Karthaus told the Chronicle: “The conversations have been going on for some time so we are happy that a decision has been made.

“A number of business criteria were involved in the decision but the scale tilted in favour of Newton Aycliffe.”

Flintshire County Council’s executive member for regeneration and tourism, Matt Wright, said the official decision was a disappointment.

But he said he hoped other projects would come along soon.

“There are other investment opportunities around,” said Cllr Wright. “Unfortunately for us, the Newton Aycliffe site was preferred this time.”

Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami added: “This is disappointing news, but every effort was put into trying to win this work in spite of the alternative site being viewed as the favourite throughout.

“This places an even greater emphasis on the need to invest and to attract more employers to the area.”

Hitachi is part of the Agility Trains consortium which was provisionally awarded a £7.5bn Government contract in 2009.

The Department on Transport announced this week that the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) would proceed.