What Alstom (www.alstom.com) describes as “the largest and most sophisticated” rolling-stock refurbishment facility in the UK was officially opened in Widnes on 29 June by Lord Prior of Brampton, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

At this new 13,000m² plant, Alstom will shortly begin work on a 28 million-euro contract to repaint the 56 Class 390 Pendolino trains operated by Virgin Trains West Coast; the first train has already arrived in Widnes.

The 80-strong repainting team has mostly been recruited from the Liverpool city region and the surrounding area, and it includes five apprentices. Alstom said the facility uses virtual-reality painting simulators to train the staff.

Lord Brampton said: “This new centre will grow local skills and create hundreds of jobs, both in Widnes and across the entire UK rail supply chain. This long-term investment marks Alstom’s commitment to the future of the sector in the UK.”

Gian-Luca Erbacci, senior vice-president of Alstom in Europe, said: “Alstom is committed to the UK and this area. We want this to be just the start of our story in Widnes.”

He added that Alstom had already made a commitment to build new rolling stock for the UK market at Widnes, if it is successful in tenders for projects such as Transport for London’s Deep Tube Upgrade Programme (formerly known as New Tube for London).