THE Transport Secretary has rubbished rumours that the North East will be “left in the dust” when it comes to HS2 after it was announced earlier today that 54 high speed trains for HS2 would be built in County Durham.

This morning, it was confirmed that a £2bn contract had been finalised for Hitachi and Alstom JV to build the new fleet of HS2 vehicles in Newton Aycliffe, as well as further work in Derby and Crewe – bringing 2,500 jobs to the UK in total.

The first train is expected to roll off the production line around 2027. Following a rigorous process of testing and commissioning, the first passengers are expected to benefit from the Newton Aycliffe built trains between 2029 and 2033.

Read more: Hundreds of jobs to be created as Newton Aycliffe gets HS2 green light

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps was scheduled to come to the region today to announce the brand new deal but was forced to self-isolate after meeting Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce, earlier this week, who later tested positive for Covid-19. 

Instead of visiting the factory, The Northern Echo quizzed Mr Shapps about everything from HS2, the impact the news will have on the North East and why Hitachi were chosen as the desired choice.

The conversation with the MP comes after the Government revealed last month that the Leeds (Eastern) leg of HS2 wouldn’t be moving forward – dealing a blow to those in the North and dashing hopes of extending the HS2 line to Newcastle and the wider North East.

The Northern Echo: The Northern Echo spoke to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.The Northern Echo spoke to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

Despite pressing Mr Shapps on the impact this alteration to HS2 could have on more rural communities, the Transport Secretary rubbished “rumours and speculation” about “selling the region down the river”.

During the interview, Mr Shapps said: “The suggestions that the North East won’t benefit is complete nonsense – there was a lot of talk last month about HS2 and the Integrated Rail Plan now benefitting the North – these rumours are completely false.

“We are talking about a £96bn UK-wide plan for our rail – we’re not talking about a few rail networks here. For example, we are still hoping to deliver faster trains across the country.

The Northern Echo: A concept design of one of the HS2 trains once its built in Newton Aycliffe. Photo: HITACHI.A concept design of one of the HS2 trains once its built in Newton Aycliffe. Photo: HITACHI.

“Rail users in Darlington will be able to get to London in 136 minutes, instead of the 175 minutes it now takes – there are plenty of plus points for the North East.”

Mr Shapps also praised the “resilience, skill and determination” of County Durham and the North East for winning the Hitachi contract.

He added: “We had some great bids on the table from huge companies, but the Newton Aycliffe bid was a strong one and will bring both economic benefit and jobs to the area.

Read more: Pictures: Inside the Hitachi factory in Aycliffe that will build new HS2 trains

“Newton Aycliffe has fantastic workers already, but we’re looking to invest in skilled staff and those that can carry out our vision.”

Elsewhere, the Transport Secretary spoke about how HS2 will benefit Birmingham, London and Manchester, but couldn’t be drawn on whether “small-scale communities”, like Ferryhill, could see the positives in the large-scale rail project.

Campaigns to reopen the Leamside line in County Durham and the disused Ferryhill Station have received cross-party support but are yet to be given the green light by the government. 

The Northern Echo: Last month, the chance to bring the Leamside Line back into use was rejected.Last month, the chance to bring the Leamside Line back into use was rejected.

This has led to some Durham MPs to look at funding it through a separate finance scheme that could become available in the future.

However, this is something Mr Shapps couldn’t be drawn on.

“If we concentrate on improving the East Coast Main Line – it could bring communities together in a way that we have never seen before. This Government has invested the most amount of money, compared to any other Government in recent memory. We’re here for these communities,” Mr Shapps added.

Have a look at how Grant Shapps answered questions about HS2, the Hitachi factory at Newton Aycliffe and how HS2 could still benefit the North East: 

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