Rail Union, RMT, has called on Freightliner Ltd and also the Scottish Government to take action to secure the future of Scotland's key rail freight terminal at Coatbridge, in North Lanarkshire.
Freightliner Ltd is considering the future of this terminal and threatens the future of up to 100 jobs in the area.
The terminal is located on the Motherwell to Inverness mainline and is situated between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Coatbridge has eight sidings, with six rails underneath cranes which help to load and unload cargo, all sidings have overhead electric wires to help with the environmental impact.
In total, Coatbridge handles freight from Felixstowe (1 import/export service a day), Southampton (2 import/export trains a day), London Gateway (1 import/export trains a day). It also welcomes a service to and from Liverpool every day.
In addition to Freightliner trains, Coatbridge also handles three trains a day to and from Daventry/Purfleet for Direct Rail Services Ltd.
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What did the officials say?
Following an exchange in the Scottish Parliament Elaine Smith MSP for Central Scotland asked the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP:
“Can the First Minister advise if the rail freight fund announced by the Scottish Government just last year at the Coatbridge terminal can be used to safeguard its future and the 100 jobs that may be affected”
The First Minister responded:
“I'm very happy to look into the specifics of that and come back to the member with a detailed answer. We would certainly want to be doing everything we can to secure the future and if that fund is available then we will want to make sure it certainly is.”
Mick Cash, General Secretary of RMT Union said:
“Freightliner Ltd and the Scottish Government must take urgent action and find a way forward to secure the future of Coatbridge rail freight terminal and the dozens of jobs that are under threat. We are ready to work with the Scottish Government and Freightliner Ltd to ensure that this vital rail freight terminal has a bright future and Scotland does not take a backwards step on rail freight.”
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