A SPANISH company that make high speed trains are eyeing land in the St Helens borough for a manufacturing site, the Star has learned.

Talgo confirmed this week it had visited two sites in the North of England, with industry reports suggesting sites in question were near Liverpool and Leeds.

The Star understands the former Parkside site in Newton-le-Willows, which is a key economic development site for St Helens Council, was among the locations looked at by Talgo officials.

Following reports in various rail and train industry publications St Helens Council confirmed that a site in the borough has been visited as a potential location for a new train manufacturing centre.

Talgo, meanwhile, has also released pictures of their team, including an image taken in Rainhill, which was the birthplace of the railways in the UK.

A move to Newton-le-Willows would also revive the area's rich train building heritage which was linked to the Vulcan works.

Asked about the company's potential interest, St Helens Council stated: “A number of international companies have considered St Helens as a site for new manufacturing facilities and we have been involved in a number of discussions facilitated by the Department for International Trade and their predecessor agencies.

“This has included more than one company looking to open a new train manufacturing facility and does include Talgo who visited the Liverpool City Region area last week as they are looking at a possible operation within St Helens in competition with another site in Yorkshire.

“Such discussions are usually kept confidential due to the commercial nature of the enquiry and a requirement for the council to agree to non-disclosure requirements before an operator will even consider a site.

"However, in this case it has been widely reported that the operator is considering a site within the borough.

“At this stage we are providing Talgo with further information following a number of positive meetings.

"Any operation would require necessary planning approvals while the company itself would need to secure contracts within the UK before progressing with any facility.

"It is not therefore an overnight process and there will be many hurdles to be overcome. We are confident our strategic location means that many other enquiries will continue to consider St Helens as an investment location.”

Conor McGinn, the St Helens North MP, meanwhile, confirmed he had held talks with the Spanish manufacturers officials and believes Newton-le-Willows and the Parkside site present the perfect opportunity.

He said: “I was delighted to meet with representatives of Talgo to talk about the potential of bringing jobs and growth to St Helens and train manufacturing back to Newton-le-Willows.

"Parkside is the perfect location for investment and industry, at the heart of the North West region with great transport links and access to a skilled local workforce."

In a statement Talgo said it aimed to gain a foothold in the United Kingdom rail market and has devised a detailed long-term industrial plan which includes the construction of a plant in the UK.

A statement on the company's website read: "The plan was publicised last week by its president Carlos Palacio during several industry meetings and is part of a bigger-scale strategy to offer a full spectrum of rail solutions in the British Isles, ranging from the supply of high-speed rolling stock to full vehicle overhaul services.

"Talgo has repeatedly showed its intention to carry out the whole train construction process in the new plant.

"To find the perfect spot in case it gets awarded supply contracts now being tendered, the company is analysing a dozen locations in the UK and has already engaged in formal contacts with local authorities and key interest groups from the districts concerned, as well as with MPs elected in those very same zones which could be interested to host the plant.

"The company expects the new facility to create hundreds of highly-skilled jobs and to spur the development of local talent which could then be used not only to supply the UK and Irish rail markets with latest-generation trains but also to enforce Talgo’s global operations by tapping the renowned British components industry."

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