UK ministers have recognized Inchgreen Dry Dock in Greenock as a possible hub for defence manufacturing, however urged web site proprietor Peel Ports to “step up” after years of decline, in response to the Greenock Telegraph.
At a summit in Inverclyde chaired by Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander, the dry dock was put firmly on the radar of the UK’s largest defence corporations.
The assembly, which adopted talks between Alexander and Inverclyde MP Martin McCluskey, now serving as power safety minister, aimed to showcase the potential of Inchgreen for future contracts as defence spending will increase.
The Telegraph reported that Alexander, visiting the location earlier than the summit, mentioned he was struck by its scale and untapped capability. “I walked Inchgreen this morning and although I do know Inverclyde, I had not realised the dimensions of the Inchgreen web site, the most important dry dock in the entire of the west coast of the UK, that was capable of berth for Queen Elizabeth,” he mentioned. “It offers you the dimensions of the chance.”
He added that the location had seen “remedial work” and now has a brand new electrical substation and vital amenities, however insisted there may be “a duty on Peel Ports in addition to the native authority to grab the alternatives of the longer term.”
“There’s an asset right here that for greater than 20 years has not fulfilled its financial potential,” Alexander mentioned. “For those who get this proper, it has the potential to safe new alternatives for the longer term.”
The intervention follows years of controversy over Inchgreen’s situation and administration. The Telegraph famous that campaigners have lengthy criticised the location’s decline since its 2003 switch to Peel Ports, and that current “secret” plans to spend £3 million of public cash on upgrades have been met with opposition after earlier redevelopment makes an attempt failed.
McCluskey advised the paper that the brand new deal with defence jobs may give Inverclyde a renewed industrial footing. “No matter work we find yourself with on the location, whether or not defence or different work, we have to transfer at tempo,” he mentioned. “I consider that this web site is the perfect probability now we have obtained for jobs and manufacturing on this space. We have to make the most of the belongings now we have obtained when it comes to maritime and river, that’s the place our future is.”
Each politicians pointed to alternatives linked to current defence spending bulletins, together with £250 million in new UK defence proposals, £182 million for technical excellence faculties, and the £10 billion contract for Kind 26 frigates at the moment being constructed on the Clyde.
In response to the Telegraph, each males made clear that any revival of Inchgreen’s fortunes would rely upon partnership between the UK Authorities, Inverclyde Council, and Peel Ports, which was urged to take a extra proactive function after years of neglect.