The appointment of Justine Greening as the new Transport Secretary offers new hope for the campaign to get the decision to build trains for the Thameslink line in Germany overturned.
I have therefore written to Ms Greening congratulating her on her appointment and asking for a meeting to discuss the situation.
The campaign is continuing to gain ground and the first Conservative MP to sign my Parliamentary Petition, (Early Day Motion), is an indication of the growing support. Gordon Henderson, the MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, in Kent added his name last Tuesday and I am very grateful for his support.
This is the text of the letter I have sent to the Transport Secretary.
Dear Justine
Congratulations on your new appointment as Secretary of State for Transport.
I appreciate that you will want a few days to assimilate your new brief, but I would be grateful if we could meet, at your earliest convenience, to discuss the Thameslink Rolling Stock Programme.
You will be aware that Siemens has been appointed as the preferred bidder for this contract, but they plan to build the new trains in Germany. The Derby based company, Bombardier, has been appointed reserve bidder.
The campaign to reverse this decision has received widespread cross party support, which includes backing from many Conservative MPs. The Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation makes it very clear that the Secretary of State has the power to stop the process at any time.
There are a number of issues relating to the application of the ITT and the impact on the future of British train manufacturing that I would appreciate the opportunity of discussing with you. The Prime Minister has made clear his commitment to rebalancing the economy, but the plan to build the Thameslink trains overseas runs counter to the Government’s stated ambition.
I do therefore hope you are able to agree to my request for a meeting to confer about this important issue.
Yours sincerely
Chris Williamson MP
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