Talgo interest a ‘massive boost’

Longannet’s location, at the centre of Scotland, makes it a prime site for a new train building factory, the local MP will tell.

Dunfermline and West Fife SNP MSP Douglas Chapman said news that the former coal fired power station site had been shortlisted for the scheme by Spanish firm Talgo, was potentially a “massive boost” to the local economy.

Talgo, which specialises in building lightweight, high speed trains, last week named Longannet as one of six possible locations across the UK for its new factory. It would bring up to 1,000 jobs.

Mr Chapman said: “Since the closure of the power station in 2016, I have been working with other agencies, Fife Council and the local community to return economic vibrancy to the area in the wake of that significant closure.

“There is still a lot of work still to be done but if we can get Talgo to choose the Longannet site, which I am hopeful they will do because of its geographical location in the centre of Scotland, this could bring 1,000 jobs to west Fife which would be a massive boost to the local economy.

“This is a particularly important opportunity for young people who could get in on the ground floor of a major manufacturer in a rail market that is growing.”

A decision about the future manufacturing site in the UK is expected to be made by Talgo as early as next month.