MSPs will debate plans to save St Rollox Caley works

MSPS will debate the plans to close St Rollox railway works over two days this week.

Owners Gemini Rail are preparing top shut the historic site in Springburn with the loss of up to 200 jobs.

They claim the site is no longer viable due to reduced workload.

Workers, however, are looking to the Scottish Government to step in and take over the deport and the workers.

Today, a debate led by Glasgow Labour MSP James Kelly will focus on calling on the Transport Secretary, Michael Matheson to take direct action to save the depot.

Tomorrow, a second debate on the issue led by Maryhill and Springburn SNP MSP Bob Doris will allow another chance for politicians to propose possible solutions.

It is unusual for the same topic to be the subject of a members debate two days in a row at Holyrood.

But because both MSPs put down a motion in Parliament earlier this year and as both received cross party support, they will each be given time for debate.

Mr Kelly’s motion got support from nine Labour colleagues plus one Green, LibDem and conservative MSP each, but none from the SNP.

Mr Doris’s motion was backed by 20 SNP colleagues, four Conservatives, one LibDem, two Greens and one Labour MSP, Mr Kelly.

Mr Kelly wants the Government to take the site, orders and workers under its control

He said: “Time is running out to save these 200 highlyskilled jobs and a vital part of Scotland’s railway infrastructure and history.

“The Scottish Government set the precedent by taking Prestwick Airport into its control in 2013 – now it must do the same

Rollox.

“Scottish Ministers must intervene and announce the electrification of the site to allow the depot to connect to the Glasgow to Edinburgh rail line at a cost of less than £1million.”

In his motion, Mr Doris said that the 45-day notice period served on the workers will reduce the time available to find a solution to keeping the jobs.

He noted the union’s Rally Roon the Caley campaign, which has suggested electrification of the track into the site which could allow new work to be bid for. to save St