Stewartby Brickworks to close

Hanson has finally announced Stewartby Brickworks is to close with the loss of more than 200 jobs - almost two years after Bedfordshire on Sunday reported the plant was to to be axed.

In January 2006 we reported the possibility of closure but at the time a Hanson spokesman said: "We have no plans to close the works by 2008. We are making cutbacks in other areas. Tough decisions do need to be made and nothing can be taken for granted. But it is rubbish to say we plan to stop making bricks in Bedfordshire."

However, in a statement issued this week Hanson Building Products said it intends to close the brickworks in February next year after failing to find a viable means of reducing sulphur dioxide emissions from the ageing factory.

It said: 'The company's management team has proposed that the works should close on February 29, 2008, resulting in the loss of 217 jobs and bringing down the curtain on over a century of brick making in the Marston Vale, which in the boom times was home to the largest brickfields in the world.'

Managing director David Szymanski said: "This is one of the toughest decisions we have ever had to make.

"Over the past three years we have invested huge amounts of time, effort and money to try and meet stringent UK limits on emissions but we have now reached a stage where realistically we must admit defeat."

He said the company will enter into full consultation with the workforce and trade unions and do its best to find alternative employment for those that seek it.

Production of the famous London brick will be moved to Hanson's Whittlesey plants, near Peterborough, which have sufficient capacity to meet market demands, and are not in breach of UK air quality limits.

"This is a very sad day for everyone involved with the brick works, both past and present," said Mr Szymanski.

"But on the positive side, work has begun on our new headquarters building at Stewartby, and plans are advancing for the total re-development of the area with a mixture of employment, leisure and housing."

Nadine Dorries, MP for Mid Bedfrdshire, said: "It is always regrettable when job losses are announced, particularly when it's just four weeks before Christmas.

"I am calling on Hanson to do all they can to provide the support needed for the 217 people who will be losing their jobs, by providing retraining and helping them to find other opportunities for employment.

"It is also important that the Trade Unions are fully consulted during this process. However, I do welcome Hanson's decision to locate their new UK Headquarters in Stewartby, which will create 200 new jobs and work is already underway for its construction.

"It is vitally important that local agencies, the government and the business community work closely together to help regenerate this area of the Marston Vale."