THE JOURNEY
LOCATION CONNECTIVITY FLEXIBILITY
F R O M
F I E L D
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FA C TORY
MERCHANT
P L A C E D E V E LO P M E N T S
WWW.MERCHANTDEVELOPMENTS.COM
WWW.MERCHANTPARK.CO.UK
Design and Photography by www.philiphunton.co.uk - March 2015
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Merchant Place Developments
journey to bring train manufacturing
back to the North East
PUBLISHED MARCH 2015
All Aboard
An open day was held on May 26th 2011 to inform local
and regional businesses of the plans for the facility and
their potential roles in the supply chain for Hitachi.
March 2009
Initial meetings indicated that 300 – 400 people could be
expected to attend the event at the Xcel Centre. On the
day over 1,500 people attended to hear of the plans for
the facility and to find out how they could be involved. This
show of interest from the North East business community
reaffirmed MPD’s decision to bid for the project and
Hitachi Rail Europe’s decision to name Merchant Park as
their preferred site.
In early 2009 the journey began for Merchant Place Developments (MPD) and Merchant Park with
the submission of their site in Newton Aycliffe for the planned Hitachi Rail Vehicle Manufacturing
Facility which would deliver the next generation of high speed rail carriages to the UK and Europe.
In July 2012 the Government signed the contract worth
£4.5 billion with Hitachi for the supply of the IEP carriages,
ensuring that the facility would have a sustained future
and many long term jobs would be generated in the area.
The site, located just one mile from junction 59 of the A1M on the edge of Aycliffe Business Park,
held a special significance in the history of passenger rail. The track adjoining the site was used by
Robert Stephenson and Company to run Locomotion No.1, the first steam locomotive to carry
passengers on a public line in 1825.
The final development contract was signed in May 2013
between MPD and Hitachi opening the doors to the
commencement of the archaeology work on site.
The Challenges
In February 2010 the announcement was made that
Merchant Park was the preferred site, but the
announcement of the General Election delayed the
progress until a decision was made by the Government
regarding the Intercity Express Programme.
Hitachi had several key requirements for the successful
site including road and rail connectivity, availability of
skilled workers, a building of circa 460,000 sq ft, a test
track of 1.1km and 7MW power availability. At the time the
Merchant Park site could accommodate all of the
requirements except the 1.1km test track. 42 sites were
shortlisted but Merchant Park was not initially shortlisted
as one of the 42.
Although the project was delayed, awaiting decisions from
the Government, the MPD team and Hitachi Rail Europe
continued to discuss design. While the site was a
preferred option, there were many issues to be tackled by
MPD to develop the site and ensure it was suitable for the
new facility and the local environment.
Following initial rejection of the site, Development Director
Geoff Hunton, revisited the site with several consultants to
reassess the viability of the new facility and to produce a
solution to the apparent lack of test track. Through
research and consultation with Network Rail a solution
was found using the historical track adjoining the Merchant
Park site and a revised submission was made to Sir
Stephen Gomersall of Hitachi Rail Europe in late 2009.
The submission was produced with the backing and
support of Phil Wilson, MP of Sedgefield and Durham
County Council who has continued to support the project
throughout its term.
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Mac Motraghi, Hitachi Rail Europe Head of Sales,
commented that it was the “site availability, connectivity
and the ability to deliver quality products in the region that
won the approval of Hitachi” for the landmark project.
The signing of the development contract ensured that
Durham and the North East as a whole would see many
benefits brought as a direct result of the development of
the facility. Up to 730 manufacturing jobs with further jobs
being created across the supply chain. The site would also
potentially supply mainland Europe and would bring a
significant economic return for the region in terms of
further investment, employment and training opportunities.
Orders already received would ensure that the jobs at the
plant and many in the supply chain would be secured
long term.
In November 2013 Shepherd were appointed as the
contractors for the development. In December 2013
Network Rail were appointed as main contractors for
construction of the new test track. The project is on
programme for completion August 2015.
The site was a habitat for the protected Great Crested
Newts, MPD built a one way fence to an adjacent pond
which allowed newts to pass through into the protected
space without being able to get back onto site.
In addition to dealing with pre-contract environmental
issues covering newts, bats, birds and badgers an
archaeological dig was carried out across the site, the
report on which will be available later in the year.
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An additional £1.2 billion contract was signed in July 2013
between the Government and Hitachi for further carriages
which would be produced in the new facility.
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Merchant Submission to
Merchant Park
Hitachi Rail Europe
Hitachi/Merchant Park
Government sign
Merchant Place
Government announce a
Contract signed between
Work Commences on the
Hitachi Rail Vehicle
Hitachi, 42 sites under
Announced as
Confirm Merchant Park
open day attended by
contract with Hitachi to
Developments sign final
further £1.2 billion
Shepherd Construction
Newton Aycliffe site.
Manufacturing Facility
consideration.
Preferred Site.
as preferred location.
over 1,500 people from
bring £4.5 billion contract
development contract
contract for Newton
and Merchant Anglo
all over the North East of
to Newton Aycliffe.
with Hitachi for the
Aycliffe securing up to
(SPV).
£82 million Rail Vehicle
730 jobs on site until
signed for the
Manufacturing Facility.
2020 and beyond.
construction of test track.
Site Progress deferred
due to General Election.
England.
Completion & Handover
Network Rail Contracts
to Hitachi.