18th May 12 
MoD depot jobs lobby
BORDER politicians are to hold talks with a UK Minister who will help make the final decision on the future of a threatened defence depot.
Up to 300 jobs could be lost if a proposal to close the Longtown storage complex is given the go-ahead.
Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell, his Penrith and the Border colleague Rory Stewart and Carlisle MP John Stevenson have arranged a meeting with Peter Luff, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology.
It will take place at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) HQ in London on February 23.
The MoD insist no final decision has been made but union officials say they have been warned of a possible 2014 closure date — earlier than any previous worst case scenario.
The local MPs are planning to highlight the depot's strategic location and economic importance to the area.
Defence officials are reviewing the site's future as part of general budget cuts and the fact that substantial investment is required to upgrade the explosive storage facilities before the current safety licence expires in 2014.
Claims from within the MoD that the cost of modernising Longtown could be over £130m have been challenged by unions who say it could be completed for under £15m.
There are growing concerns about the potential impact of a closure on Annandale and Eskdale and north Cumbria.
Gordon Routledge, a retired management team member at Longtown and its now moth-balled sister depot at Eastriggs, has written books on the area's defence industry.
Asked for his views this week, he said: "The impact on the local economy will be devastating.
"300 jobs in a more populated area might not be such a big issue but here you are talking about a disaster for communities on both sides of the border.
"There are next to no alternative jobs. Even before the recession MoD vacancies at Longtown and Eastriggs were attracting between 20 and 30 applications — it would be far more now."
Mr Routledge explained that the high-security site was well located and had other important roles in addition to ammunition storage.
He said: "It is well-placed to serve Scotland and the north of England and all the northern training grounds."
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Farmers want site saved
FARMERS Francis Tinning and his son James are part of a family which has farmed in and around the Longtown MoD site for generations.
They currently operate over 400 acres with a beef, sheep and arable enterprise at Mossband on the west side of the complex.
Much of the family's original land was compulsory purchased in World War One for a munitions factory and although they acquired some back in 1929 they lost much of it again when the current depot was opened around the outbreak of World War Two.
The family say they believe the depot is among the most efficient of the MoD UK storage sites and that they hoped its future could be secured.
James said: "I've always understood we would have the opportunity to acquire the land back if it was no longer required by the MoD.
"But even so we hope the depot does not close. It employs a lot of people and it would be far better for the area if it stays open."
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