CAMPAIGNERS this week make a final plea to the Government to give the North- East a £660m boost by approving the Intercity Express Programme (IEP).

In a unique show of crossparty unity, all 29 North-East MPs are now backing the bid to return train building to its birthplace.

The region’s MPs have joined union leaders, business chiefs, local authorities and the public in urging ministers to award IEP to Japanese manufacturer Hitachi. The company has already indicated it would build a plant in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, to assemble the trains, creating 800 jobs directly and a further 8,000 in the supply chain.

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson, who has led the campaign to bring Hitachi to Newton Aycliffe, said: “It’s now decision time. My message to the Government is that this is too big a project to abandon.

“The economic impact it would have on the North-East would be massive.”

Kevin Rowan, regional secretary of the Northern TUC, said: “The message to the Prime Minister today is that our region is united behind all efforts to bring the next generation of train manufacturing to the region.

“Now it’s up to the Government to provide the crucial backing to kick-start the Intercity Express Programme and to allow us to bring train building home.”

The Government is due to reveal its decision on IEP as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

This could mean an announcement on Wednesday when Chancellor George Osborne presents the outcome of the review to Parliament.

Alternatively, a decision could be announced later this month.

Experts have concluded that every £1 invested by the Government in bringing train building back to the region would be turned into £48 in the local economy.

A report found that the North-East would receive a £660m boost over 20 years from the IEP.

Durham County Council leader Councillor Simon Henig said last night that the benefits of Hitachi coming to Newton Aycliffe should not be underestimated.

He said: “County Durham has seen the highest growth in the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in the North-East.

“Securing widespread employment raises self-esteem and improves health.”

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman said: “Train building belongs in the North-East – it’s our heritage and we have the skills to do it well. Hitachi has exacting needs and our site fits the bill perfectly.”

Helen Goodman, MP for Bishop Auckland, said: “I wholeheartedly support this campaign and I know that the Hitachi contract would make a real difference to our area.”

Last month, Hitachi tabled a new bid to build the next generation of InterCity trains in Newton Aycliffe.

More than 4,000 people have signed a petition urging the Government to give IEP to Hitachi and about 100 businesses and organisations in the region have pledged support.

The Back on Track campaign was launched by The Northern Echo, with Durham County Council, the North East Chamber of Commerce, Northern TUC, Mr Wilson and the Unite union, to push for IEP to be given the go-ahead.