Bombardier restarting operations at Derby, Crewe and Ilford from next Tuesday

Bombardier Transportation UK has revealed it is to restart operations at Derby, Crewe and Ilford from next Tuesday.

It comes after the company announced a temporary pause last month in rolling stock production at its Derby site, heavy maintenance at its Ilford site, and component refurbishment and overhaul in Crewe.

Operations were paused because of the Government social distancing measures to tackle COVID-19, and because the virus has affected production at many of our suppliers.

However, the company says it has begun trialling new working practices which comply with social distancing requirements.

A statement from the company said: “Working with site trade union representatives we have used the pause to review working practices at Derby, Crewe and Ilford in order to comply with social distancing requirements. This week we have begun trialling these new processes that include greater spacing, split shifts, additional safety requirements and washing facilities, and we are now inducting our people into these new ways of working.

“We are pleased to announce that from Tuesday 14 April, we will restart train production at Derby and heavy maintenance at Ilford. On Wednesday 15 April we will restart component refurbishment and overhaul at Crewe. Ramp up will be managed around supply chain recovery and listening to our people. We will adapt to any new social distancing advice, and review and revise working practices as necessary.

“We have said throughout this public health emergency that we must protect our people from COVID-19, follow all Government advice in tackling the virus, and ensure sustainable business continuity. We are confident that these new working practices strike the right balance.

“All staff who can work from home will continue to do so, and our services teams will continue to keep Britain’s trains moving for essential workers as they have done throughout.

“As Britain’s leading rail engineering business, we look forward to the full resumption of operations at the appropriate time.”

Photo credit: Bombardier Transportation UK

Download article