Bombardier has announced it has suspended train production at its Derby site following the Government decision to introduce tougher social distancing measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Up until now, the firm’s Litchurch Lane factory had been managing to maintain production after implementing a comprehensive list of measures to protect its 2,000 workers.
However, on Monday, new social distancing measures came into force making it even harder for the train-maker to continue making trains.
It is a blow for the Derby factory, which needs to build a record number of trains this year for key customers including West Midlands Trains and Greater Anglia.
However, the company has said that the safety of its staff comes first.
As well as Litchurch Lane, Bombardier also has services teams based at Etches Park, in Derby and Central Rivers, near Burton.
Bombardier said hat both service teams would remain working to maintain trains for EMR, Arriva CrossCountry and Avanti West Coast.
Bombardier said it has put in place enhanced protection measures and working practices to protect those staff.
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In the statement, Bombardier said: “In the current unprecedented circumstances, we want to protect our people from COVID-19, support the 海角视频 Government’s efforts to delay and mitigate the virus, and to ensure sustainable business continuity.
“Following the new Government social distancing measures announced on Monday night, Bombardier Transportation 海角视频 has made the difficult decision to temporarily pause rolling stock production at our Derby site, heavy maintenance at our Ilford site, and component refurbishment and overhaul at our Crewe site.
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“These pauses will remain in place pending further clarity from Government on social distancing rules, and will be kept under constant review.
“The 海角视频 rail and London Underground networks remain open for the use of essential workers, so our staff based at our services sites will continue to play our part in keeping Britain moving by providing maintenance on trains in service, technical support and materials. Our staff will be protected by enhanced safe working practices, while across the business our people are continuing to work from home.
“We look forward to the full resumption of production, and to the continued success of Britain’s leading rail engineering business.”