BRITAIN’S largest train assembly factory could stop production soon, putting thousands of jobs at risk, Alstom managing director Nick Crossfield warned today.

Mr Crossfield said the potential job losses at the Derby site would have a “considerable” and permanent impact on the national supply chain.

A lack of orders has meant that “between now and May, June, we will go down to very little or no activity in what is one of the group’s largest facilities worldwide,” he told the Today programme on BBC Radio 4.

“The jobs on-site support a further 12,000 to 15,000 in the national supply chain …”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham vowed that her union would “not stand by while the government puts thousands of jobs at risk.

“There is a huge amount of work that Alstom could and should be bidding for, but the government are simply not tendering for it and do not seem to care,” she said.

“Alstom and the government now need to stop endlessly procrastinating and just get on and sign the contracts to ensure the security of thousands of highly skilled workers.

“If their inaction does lead to job cuts, the responsible people will be held to account personally.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Rail manufacturing plays an important role in growing the UK economy and delivering better services for passengers.

“The government is committed to supporting the entire sector and we remain in close contact with Alstom to secure a sustainable future for rail manufacturing at Derby.”