Back on Track Campaign

Back On Track is a campaign led by the Northern Echo, supported by County Durham Development Company and Durham County Council, to get the North-East back on track –  to get its economy back on track by reinvigorating its private sector and to get back on track as a major player in the rail industry that the region once gave to the world.

The campaign has won cross-party support from Durham County Council and, if successful, would secure £7.5bn of investment and 8,000 jobs for the North-East

The Northern Echo | Back On Track

The Northern Echo /news/campaigns/backontrack/

A chance for town to fulfil its potential Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson, below, who has led the Back on Track campaign, pays tribute to all the people who have made Hitachi’s £4.5bn investment possible. ‘I could kiss you’ – how the region reacted to Hitachi decision James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is absolutely phenomenal news for the region. Site is 'launch-pad' for future projects SECURING the Intercity Express Programme is a "launch pad" that could secure train-building work for generations to come, the managing director of Hitachi Rail Europe said last night. Raising a glass to return of train building in region A PUB landlord and former engineer was one of many to raise a glass last night after Hitachi's plans to bring train building back to the region were announced. Chris Newby was standing in his pub - a few yards from where Locomotion No 1, the world's first passenger steam engine, was loaded on the track - when he heard the news. The campaign that brought train-building back home THE Government's decision to press ahead with the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) prompted jubilant scenes in the North-East last night. Joe Willis looks back at how the region united behind The Northern Echo's Back on Track campaign to deliver a £4.5bn economic boost. Dream come true as rail plans get go-ahead THE dream of bringing train-building back to the region of its birth - along with thousands of desperately-needed manufacturing jobs - finally came true yesterday. £4.5bn Hitachi deal to bring 500 jobs to County Durham THE Government has announced a £4.5bn train-building deal which will bring 500 jobs to the North-East. Rail scheme boost for Hitatchi plan could be approved today A HUGE rail scheme long seen as key to Hitachi's £7.5bn plans to bring train building back to the North-East is expected to get the go-ahead today. Government urged to approve train deal after steel success AS the ink dries on a $1bn deal securing the future of steelmaking on Teesside, the Government was last night urged to give the go-ahead for train building to return to the birthplace of the railways. Campaigners plead for train-building decision CAMPAIGNERS hoping to land a £7.5bn train-building contract for the region have written to the Secretary of State urging him to make a decision.