Two firms fight over Eurostar deal

A French engineering firm is going through the High Court to stop Eurostar making a deal for new trains with German manufacturer Siemens.

The French firm Alstom, which asked a judge to stop the signing of a £612 million contract with the rival company, wants an injunction before a full trial over issues around tendering and bidding.

Eurostar invited bidders for 10 new trains with a possible 13 more and were asked to meet Intergovernmental Commission safety requirements for the Channel Tunnel.

Alstom stopped work, saying the contract demanding seating for 850 passengers per train would not match safety laws and decided to wait for confirmation on the position from the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority and Eurostar.

After this, Eurostar met with Siemens and the commission, then entered a preliminary agreement with Siemens, Sarah Hannaford QC representing the French company, said.

Alstom was told its bid was unsuccessful and claims "serious breaches of the obligations of equal treatment, transparency and non-discrimination."

Eurostar and Siemens will argue during the two-day hearing that there was no breach of rules and Mr Justice Vos indicated his ruling on an injunction would be reserved to a later date.

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