UK based retailer Bombardier has been awarded a contract to provide £1 billion to supply 65 trains to London’s Crossrail project.

The decision to select the Derby based manufacturer sees the last remaining UK train manufacturer beat completion for the likes of CAF of Spain and Japan’s Hitachi.

Bombardier UK had warned that a failure to secure the contract would result in the closure of the Derby plant and the loss of 1,500 jobs, with the failure to win the Thameslink project in 2011 resulting in the loss of 1,200 jobs.

Crossrail chief executive Andrew Wolstenholme said: “Crossrail will transform rail services in London and the south-east. Procurement of the rolling stock and depot is just one more step in delivering this new railway and making it a reality for millions of passengers.”

Business secretary Vince Cable said: "As well as providing a great boost to Bombardier and the Midlands this decision represents a real vote of confidence in British manufacturing. The government has been working hard with industry to support the UK rail supply chain to maximise growth”.

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