TRAIN manufacturer Alstom is in "intense discussions" with the government over possible new train orders to save its struggling Derby plant.

The government has "secured approval in principle" for Alstom to manufacture five Elizabeth Line trains on order to Transport for London (TfL), on top of five trains confirmed in March.

Its understood this would meet the ten train minimum requirement for the manufacturing plant to remain open after redundancy consultations began this month.

Following a meeting with Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Transport secretary Mark Harper wrote to local MP Amanda Solloway, saying: "Subject to securing the necessary commercial agreements between TfL and Alstom this would enable Alstom to maintain sufficient capacity at Litchurch Lane until the confirmed new HS2 work comes onstream and until it is able to compete for new orders in the market."

An Alstom spokesperson said: "We are now in a period of intense discussions with the government and TfL about a potential train order for the Elizabeth Line given the levels of passenger demand.

"This could help secure the future of the Litchurch Lane site. The parties have agreed to conclude discussions as soon as possible and no later than the end of May."

(c) 2024 City A.M., source Newspaper