East Midlands MEP Emma McClarkin visits Derby train-maker Bombardier

Conservative MEP Emma McClarkin visited Derby-based train-maker Bombardier earlier this week, following the recent news they have been selected to build 665 carriages for the new East Anglia franchisee Abellio.

During her visit, Miss McClarkin was given a tour of the factory and shown the new Crossrail carriages which Bombardier are building. She met with Matthew Colclough, Head of Site Operations, and Gary Mowbray, Finance Director, and talked about the opportunities and potential challenges for Bombardier post-Brexit.

Bombardier has been making trains since 1876 in Derby and employs 1,600 people. The £1 billion Abellio contract – funded by the private sector – is expected to secure the factory’s future for the next five years, protecting at least 1,000 jobs.

Emma McClarkin, who is the Conservative lead on International Trade matters in Europe, said:

“I was delighted to get the opportunity to visit the factory today. It has such a great history in the region and I’m very pleased that this contract means they will continue to be a major employer in the region for years to come. It is clear from this that there is still a lot of confidence in the East Midlands region, following the Brexit vote.”