AFTER receiving the message from their bosses that the company had decided to stay in Derby, the workers of Bombardier had a message for the people of Derby: “Thank-you.”

On what was an emotional day for the 1,600 staff at Litchurch Lane, they paid tribute to the city for sticking by them and backing the campaign, which many believe has helped secure the future of the factory, at least for the next three years.

At a series of briefings, which took place at the factory, bosses told workers that the factory would remain open until 2014.

But it warned that it would need to win new work if it was to remain open for the long-term.

The contracts that hold the key to Bombardier remaining in Derby include the eVoyager project and, perhaps more crucially, the £1 billion Crossrail deal.

The campaign to save Bombardier was prompted by the Government’s decision to award the £1.4 billion Thameslink contract to German firm Siemens ahead of the Litchurch Lane firm.

The decision led to Bombardier launching a review of its UK operations. The aim of the campaign was not only to get Thameslink overturned but to make sure that Bombardier stayed in Derby.

Among the employees who attended the briefings was Gareth Lee, 23, of Pinxton, who has worked at Bombardier for more than four years.

He said: “The mood at the briefings was really upbeat.

“We were told that the factory was staying open but a lot rests on the firm winning future work.

“I’m just glad that we still have a factory. The support we have received from the city has been unbelievable.

“I’d just like to say a big thank-you to everyone who supported us – the people who signed the petition, the people who took part in the march – everyone.”

Sean Stack, 43, of Alvaston, who has been at Litchurch Lane for 12 years, said: “You could detect a collective sigh of relief across the room when they said the factory would stay open for the next three years.

“We’d been hoping that would be the case for the last few weeks. Things seemed to be finally going our way with the Southern Railway contract win that was announced just after Christmas.

“After the briefings you could tell the difference in the guys. The canteen was buzzing with noise.

“It has been a tough last eight months. I’m really glad the company is staying. Our focus now is to make the best trains we can and hopefully the orders will come in.”

Bombardier apprentices Alex Dunn, 18, of Alvaston, and Cameron Ritchie, 19, of Littleover, said they were both grateful for the support shown to them and the company while it endured the months of uncertainty.

Alex said: “Personally, because I’d just started I was really worried that I’d be one of the first to go. The firm cancelled its intake of 15 apprentices last autumn and I felt really sorry for them.

“The Government has now got to back us – or at least give us a fairer chance of winning future work.”

Cameron said: “I don’t think you ever realise how important a company is to Derby until something like this happens.

“It was not just people who worked at Bombardier who joined the campaign to overturn the Government’s decision on the Thameslink contract. People who had nothing to do with the factory or the rail industry joined in. I’m just really grateful people supported us.

“I’m at the start of my career and my hope is that we eventually have a long-term future. We’re keeping our fingers crossed.”

Working alongside the younger generation at Bombardier are a number of experienced hands who have seen many ups and downs in the rail industry over the decades.

Among them is Andy Radage, 49, of Ambergate, who has worked at Litchurch Lane for 33 years.

He said: “We all feel a lot better about things now. We’ve had a lot to put up with and it has been a tough few months.

“We’ve now got to make sure we win more work and the Government has got to support us and make sure we never get into this situation again. The campaign was a really good effort.

“It was always going to be tough to get the Thameslink contract overturned. But we will now be fighting for other contracts.”

Ian Kinsey, 58, of Hatton, has worked in the rail industry all of his life – joining Derby Loco Works at the age of 16.

Ian, who has accrued more than 40 years of service at Litchurch Lane, said: “It has been one of the most difficult times in my career. For the past eight months we have all been looking over our shoulder.

“I suppose I’m more pleased for the younger guys who work here than I am for myself. They are the ones that are looking to build a future in the industry.”

Philip Webster, 61, of Derby, who has worked at the site for 13 years, said: “I was really impressed by the city’s reaction to the company’s plight. Seeing so many people come out to the march and rally was extremely gratifying.

“Derby is a city that it is very protective of its manufacturing industries. It’s very proud of its rail heritage, which goes back almost 150 years. I don’t think the city was prepared to put up with the body blow of losing that.

“I think now we are looking for a period of consolidation. We’ve been through a lot and I think, even now, the announcement is still sinking in.”

‘THIS IS A REWARD FOR THE LOYALTY SHOWN TO COMPANY’

It took 10,000 people taking to the streets, more than 50,000 names on a petition and hundreds of Bombardier workers descending on the Houses of Parliament before anyone would listen.

Asking the Government to overturn the Thameslink decision was a means to an end. That end was making sure that Bombardier did not pull out of Derby.

In that respect, the campaigning, the likes of which have not been seen in the city for a generation, has achieved its goal. Bombardier is staying.

Those involved in the campaign will now be hoping the Litchurch Lane firm can move on and build up its order book.

Peter Richardson, chairman of the Derby Renaissance Board, and John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, were part of a delegation which flew out to Bombardier Transportation’s headquarters in Berlin to meet with bosses shortly after the Thameslink decision was announced.

Mr Richardson said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Bombardier has now taken the decision to stay. The Derby Telegraph played an essential role. It rallied support and acted as a crucial mouthpiece.”

Mr Forkin said: “Bombardier staying is fantastic news. It would have been an act of economic madness if as a country we had lost the ability to manufacture trains.

“It is important that Bombardier is allowed to bid on a level playing field for future contracts, starting with the massive Crossrail deal.”

These are sentiments that have been echoed by a number of Bombardier supporters, including the Unite union.

Mark Young, regional officer for Unite, said: “We have to redouble our efforts to make sure the procurement changes are in place to give Bombardier a fighting chance of winning future orders.

“But I’m delighted for the staff. The campaign has saved hundreds of jobs. But it has to be remembered that about 1,000 people have left.”

Derby’s business community has also welcomed the fact that Bombardier has decided to stay.

George Cowcher, chief executive of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It will safeguard jobs and production at one of the city’s best-known manufacturers and put an end to any lingering concerns surrounding the future of British train-making.”

Relief has also been expressed by Bombardier’s suppliers. David Taylor, managing director of Derby-based Datum, said: “If Bombardier had decided not to stay it would’ve seen quite a lot of companies going out of business.”

Rupert Brennan-Brown, spokesman for the Derby and Derbyshire Rail Forum, which represents around 100 companies, said: “This news will be a huge relief to the local supply chain, employees and their families.”

The campaign to save Bombardier received cross-party support.

Derby South MP Margaret Beckett said: “This, in a way, is a reward for the loyalty that the workforce and the city have shown to the company. But there is still a question mark over the long-term future of Bombardier in the city.”

One MP who was the most outspoken against the decision made by her own party was Pauline Latham, Conservative MP for mid-Derbyashire. Speaking about Bombardier’s decision to stay, she said: “This is absolutely superb news. It is of course, extremely important that Bombardier continue to get new orders.”

Erewash MP Jessica Lee added: “The whole episode with the Thameslink contract and the procurement process has meant Derby’s needs have been put firmly on the map for the Government – in terms of how important the rail industry is for Derby and Derbyshire.”

Transport Secretary Justine Greening said Bombardier’s decision to stay in the UK was “great news for Bombardier and for Derby”.

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