Railway Industry Association (RIA) member companies took part in a site visit and roundtable at Wabtec UK’s facility in Birkenhead on Friday (26 April) with Labour’s candidate for Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram.
Mr Rotheram toured the shop floor and met apprentices from two local colleges, Wirral Met and the Engineering College. Wabtec is a key supplier to UK rolling stock manufacturers and the Labour candidate saw rail technology which is being used for trams in Edinburgh, Croydon and the West Midlands as well as an air compressor for Stadler’s Merseyrail train fleet.
Commenting on the site tour and discussion Steve Rotheram, Labour’s candidate for Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said: “The Liverpool City Region has a proud heritage as pioneers of Britain’s railways. We ran the first passenger services almost 200 years ago and are continuing to innovate with our new trains, the most sophisticated and accessible in the country. They are not only improving rail journeys but creating jobs and apprenticeships in the region as well.
“It was fantastic to visit the site in Birkenhead and hear how local businesses are not just boosting our own economy, but the national economy too. I want to attract more foreign direct investment and this is a perfect example of how the Liverpool City Region has huge investment potential for UK plc.
“These local skilled jobs in the Liverpool City Region are helping to improve transport in London, Scotland, the West Midlands and beyond. That’s what real levelling up looks like.”
David Maddison ChPP FAPM Chair of RIA North said: “RIA North members were pleased to meet Labour’s candidate for Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram. A good discussion took place on the importance of the railway for boosting economic growth and investment in towns and communities across the region. Members also pointed out how the industry contributes nearly £8 billion of economic value and over £2.5bn in tax revenues to the North each year, as well as employing over 150,000 people.”
