As part of the Railway Industry Association's Rail Fellowship Programme, London Assembly Members, Nick Rogers and Keith Prince, recently visited Alstom's Ilford Depot to gain an insight into the maintenance operations completed at the depot.
Alstom has, or is currently, building just under 40% of the UK's train fleet, as well as the entire fleet of London Underground trains.
During the visit, Nick and Keith observed a number of activities, including the new Crossrail fleet.
Additionally, the visit also included an exploration of the maintenance operations of the Greater Anglia Class 720 fleet, which were developed by Alstom, at Seven Kings.
Toby Williams, Public Affairs & PR Manager at the Railway Industry Association (RIA), said “We are delighted to have London Assembly Members Nick Rogers and Keith Prince participate in the RIA Rail Fellowship Programme and visit the Alstom Depot in Ilford. The programme aims to enhance understanding and forge stronger links between parliamentarians and the rail supply sector.
We applaud Alstom for hosting this visit, providing a valuable opportunity for the Assembly Members to witness maintenance operations and appreciate the critical role played by the industry in supporting connectivity and economic growth.”
Nick Rogers, London Assembly Member for Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, and Richmond upon Thames: “I am delighted to have had the opportunity to visit the Alstom Depot in Ilford and gain an insight into the maintenance operations. As someone with a background in rail incident control within the railways, I understand the critical role maintenance plays in ensuring a reliable and safe rail network.
Witnessing the procedures employed for the Crossrail fleet and engaging with the workforce on site has further deepened my appreciation for the rail sector. This visit has reinforced the importance of ongoing investment and collaboration within the rail industry.”
Keith Prince, London Assembly Member for Havering and Redbridge: “As the Assembly member for Havering and Redbridge and a member of the London Transport Committee, I know the significance of the Alstom Depot to my constituency.
The visit demonstrated the maintenance operations for the Elizabeth Line fleet, the Overground services and Greater Anglia rolling stock, all of which directly impact the transportation needs of my constituents. I'm proud to have a vital employer in Alstom in my constituency.”
Steve Hadfield, Director of Parts, Overhaul and Modernisation at Alstom, said: “We were honoured to host London Assembly Members Nick Rogers and Keith Prince at our depot in Ilford. This visit provided an opportunity to showcase Alstom's fleet overhaul and modernisation pedigree, part of our train services business that is currently supporting 63% of the UK's installed train fleets in some capacity.
We appreciate the Assembly Members' keen interest in witnessing the operations involved in our work. Our dedicated teams of engineers and technicians, play a crucial role in ensuring reliable and efficient rail services in London and across the UK. We remain committed to supporting job creation and fostering economic growth in Ilford, across our further 12 London sites and up and down the country.”
Not forgetting c2c Class 720/6 will also be maintained and based at Ilford as East Ham depot is already full up.
Maybe he should tell South Western Railway to start introducing the Class 701 Arterios in service. Since Greater Anglia started introducing the Class 720 back in late 2020.