Alstom has been granted planning permission by Halton Borough Council to acquire 30 acres of land, for the construction of a new Technology Centre at Widnes in the Liverpool area.
Following the green light from the council, ground-breaking will take place before summer and construction will begin later this year. This investment amounts to around EUR 25 million.
Alstom will build a training facility at the site, the North West Transport Training Academy, which will open in autumn 2017. It will act as a UK centre for research and development, providing training in engineering, manufacturing, project management and other vital transport sector skills, upskilling the existing workforce as well as supporting apprentices and new graduates for the rail industry across the North West.
In the immediate future, Alstom will use the centre to carry out essential maintenance work. With over half of the UK rail fleet which has passed its half-life, the centre will provide the expertise needed for maintenance and modernisation of trains.
Photo: Alstom
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