Bolton West MP Chris Green has welcomed new figures that show the benefits of the railway upgrade plan for local businesses and jobs.
In Bolton West, Network Rail spent about £29 million with local businesses. In addition, Severfield manufactured the arch for the Ordsall Chord project in Manchester at their Lostock factory.
As a direct result of being awarded the Ordsall Chord contract, Severfield were able to increase their workforce across their factories in Lostock and Dalton by 10-15 per cent, as well as expanding their professional teams, increasing apprentices and graduate placements.
Chris said: “Complaints about slow and busy trains is one of the issues that is most often raised with me, however what a lot of passengers don’t realise is that Network Rail is in the middle of the biggest programme of rail modernisation since the Victorian era.
“Not only is this good news for passengers, it’s also good news for local businesses who are benefiting from this investment in our infrastructure.”
Martin Frobisher, managing director for Network Rail's London North Western route, said: “Today I can reveal Network Rail alone is supporting around 9,300 jobs across the north west of England and spending money with 324 local businesses.
“The railway is vital to economic growth. That’s why we’re spending £100m every week in Britain on our Railway Upgrade Plan. A great example of this plan in action is the Ordsall Chord in Manchester, supporting 2,000 jobs and involving over 200 suppliers.”
Across the North West, £276 million was spent with 324 local businesses in the past year.