BOMBARDIER CAMPAIGN WILL CARRY ON IN 2012

There are still a few apologists lurking in the undergrowth, making excuses for the shameful decision by the Tory-Lib Dem Coalition to sell British train manufacturing down the river.

Nobody has argued that the tender specification for Thameslink wasn’t flawed. And yes, the previous Government is culpable for signing off a defective document.

But in spite of its shortcomings, the Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation still insisted that the successful bidder provides: “...rolling stock that exploits advances in technology and adopts world class proven solutions in one package”.

Siemens fail that test because they have not yet developed a lightweight bogie.

Furthermore, bidders were required to demonstrate the deliverability of their technical proposals. There is a real question mark hanging over Siemens' ability to deliver the required technical solution within the timescale available.

Remember it took Bombardier 10 years to develop their lightweight bogie.

In assessing the bids the ITT states that: “The score for deliverability of the Overall Programme will be allocated (out of 100%) on the basis of:

(i) 20% for demonstration of the ability to deliver 152 vehicles by the later of July 2013 or 39 months from Contract Award;

(ii) 30% for demonstration of the ability to deliver 452 vehicles by the later of June 2014 or 50 months from Contract Award; and

(iii) 50% for demonstration of the ability to deliver the full fleet by the later of December 2015 or 68 months from Contract Award.

When the Tory-Lib Dem Coalition was formed, the process had not gone past the point of no return, as implied by the dwindling band of apologists. It is not therefore a question of the Government reneging on a decision taken by the previous administration, because no such decision had been made.

Indeed, before the General Election, the Conservative Party's shadow transport minister, Theresa Villiers, said she intended to review all the major rail contracts. More than a year passed before this Government then appointed Siemens as the preferred bidder.

The buck therefore stops with this Government and not the previous administration.

Claims that starting the process again would delay everything by two years or more is also wrong. The truth is a new tendering process could be concluded in six months as used to happen before and for many years after rail privatisation.

So attempts to absolve the present Tory-Lib Dem Coalition Government of any blame are well wide of the mark because they have, well and truly sold Bombardier down the river.

Nevertheless, it still isn’t too late for the Government to reverse its decision. We are still at the preferred bidder stage, and in view of the huge question marks about Siemens’ reputation and its ability to deliver on time, Bombardier could, and should, be awarded the contract.

Remember Bombardier has been retained as the preferred bidder for the Thameslink deal.

So my focus in 2012 will be on continuing to press Ministers to do the right thing for Derby and the future of the British train manufacturing industry.