North East News…
Tyneside shipbuilders A&P are celebrating the return of naval shipbuilding to the North East with the award of a £55m contract to construct a section of the Royal Navy’s giant new aircraft carriers.
The massive construction project, which will provide around five years’ work for A&P and support the 210-strong workforce, will see the construction of a 1,000 tonne section that will form part of the first of the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers.
At 65,000 tonnes and 280 metres in length, these will be the largest warships ever constructed in the UK. They will carry 40 aircraft and be run by a complement of 1,450 crew.
Minister for Defence Equipment and Support Quentin Davies said: “Companies right across the UK are involved in delivering this project which represents a step change in defence’s capability, enabling Britain to deliver airpower from the sea wherever and whenever it is required. The excellent progress being made by A&P here on the Tyne is evidence of the absolute commitment to delivering this vital capability.”
The announcement is an historic day for shipbuilding in the North East, marking its involvement in the biggest shipbuilding programme the Navy has seen.
Young apprentices employed by A&P will learning their trade on the carriers which are destined to be the cornerstone of Britain’s future naval fleet.
Investment has been made in new equipment including a state-of-the art plasma cutter and new panel line at the Hebburn site which will equip A&P Tyne with the facilities to deliver their parts of the aircraft carriers.
The aircraft carriers are being constructed in sections at locations around the country and will be shipped to Rosyth in Scotland where they will be fitted together. Contracts for the equipment that will furnish the ships, worth over £1 billion to date, have also been placed around the UK.
Aircraft Carrier Alliance Programme Director Geoff Searle said: “This is a fantastic day for A&P Tyne and the Aircraft Carrier Alliance. These carriers will be this country’s future flagships so our primary focus and that of our contractors is ensuring we deliver the best vessels possible to the Royal Navy.
“The commitment of the Tyneside workforce to building these ships for the UK Armed Forces is very evident and I am delighted that A&P Tyne is now officially on contract and has started to make great progress on the first ship.”
A&P Group Managing Director David Skentelbery said: “Our Hebburn workforce has a proud tradition of delivering a first rate job and I have no doubt that they will continue to do so on this hugely prestigious project. At A&P Tyne, we are set to deliver a substantial part of these ships and I am delighted that we can represent the North East on the project.”
