Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP, David Mundell has welcomed progress made following the Scottish Coal Task Force meeting which took place earlier this week in Cumnock.
The local MP was particularly pleased with the updates on the prospective transfer of a number of former Scottish Coal sites to Hargreaves, which will lead to 300 jobs being reinstated across Scotland.
Mr Mundell hopes that as many of those jobs as possible will be at the Broken Cross site in South Lanarkshire, which, under current plans, will retain its training facility making sure that all those working there would have their full accreditation.
However, restoration remains of major concern, particularly at Glentaggart and Mainshill in South Lanarkshire and Dalmellington in Ayrshire. One of the main concerns is that it is still not clear what the legal position is in relation to those sites and who will take responsibility for them in the future.
Mr Mundell is very clear that adequate health and safety must remain in place regardless, and that there must be no environmental threat locally. The local MP believes we need to see plans coming forward for full restoration within the resources available.
Mr Mundell has also welcomed changes to planning rules on open cast mining and believes that everyone involved needs to learn the lessons of Scottish Coal and make sure that this sort of situation cannot be repeated.
Commenting Mr Mundell said: “I welcome the fact that the prospective transfer of some of the Scottish Coal sites is going ahead, and I am particularly pleased we will see some of the jobs lost at Broken Cross reinstated.
“The news that the training facility will be retained is also really good news for future workers as it means they will be fully accredited. I will now be doing everything I can to make sure as many jobs are retained as possible and still believe there is a strong case for Broken Cross.
“On the issue of restoration I believe it is vital that plans are put in place to make this happen as quickly as possible and to the highest standards within the resources available. I hope that following this experience planning changes and more scrutiny will be exercised to make sure adequate funds and guarantees are in place to ensure that full restoration will take place. Before any further expansion or development can take place the public in South Lanarkshire and Ayrshire need to be confident that if there is open cast mining taking place, then the sites will be fully restored.”
Mr Mundell added: “I will continue to monitor the situation closely and remain in close contact with all stakeholders, including the Scottish Government, as I believe that the best outcome locally can only be achieved if everyone works together.”