Campaign films launched to save St Rollox rail works

A series of short films has been launched by the Scottish Labour Party and Unite the Union as part of a campaign to halt the imminent closure of the St Rollox ‘Caley’ Rail Works in Springburn.

The 160-year-old railway depot and workshop is due to shut on Friday, leading to 200 job losses

The workers on the site have been responsible for the maintenance and repair for Scotrail’s fleet of trains. In December last year the owner, Gemini, announced its plans to close St Rollox, meaning the work will now have to be carried out at another location in England.

The films feature interviews with staff who have worked at St Rollox over the past 50 years. One former engineer described ‘the Caley’ as having been “the best workshop in Britain”.

Labour MP Paul Sweeney, whose constituency covers the St Rollox depot, called on Theresa May to intervene during her final Prime Ministers Questions.

He said: “Even though the prime minister is losing her job today, it's not too late for her to act now and instruct the government to do everything it can to find a way to save this site and its valuable skills.”

The outgoing prime minister declined to make any commitments to take action to halt the closure.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard also called on the Scottish Government to save the depot. He said: “There are only a few days left to save the future of railway engineering in Scotland – there is no time to waste.

“The Caley rail works is a national asset, and the SNP government should be prepared to step in and take it into public ownership to secure its future.

“It’s unforgivable for Nicola Sturgeon and the government she leads to sit in silence as the depot is set to close.

“The workers, their unions and the wider Labour movement must be heard, and we will use our voice to demand the Caley remains open.

"There is still time to save it, and the SNP government should act immediately to do so.”