Subject: Sandra Osborne MP has demanded an urgent meeting with UK Energy minister
Sandra Osborne MP has demanded an urgent meeting with UK Energy minister in advance of an expected announcement on rail freight charges by the Office of the Rail Regulator on 12th June which she has warned will be the final nail in the coffin of the coal industry in Scotland.
She said:
' Local communities in the coalfield areas are still reeling from the recent job losses as a result of SRG going in to liquidation. There are also very serious issues with financing major restoration works which will be required throughout the area.
I welcome the setting up of the Coal Taskforce which I called for as soon as I heard about the crisis.
However I was astounded at this week's meeting to hear from the Office of the Rail Regulator that they are still looking to impose rail freight charges even though it is clear they are totally unsustainable and will undoubtedly result in the death knell for the coal industry in Scotland.
I held a debate in Westminster in October last year during the consultation process and I wonder where the siren voices of the SNP were then although I welcome their intervention even at this late stage.
The UK Government need to get off the fence on this and recognise the clear and present danger these charges represent to hundreds of jobs and ensure they do not go ahead.
I have asked for a further urgent meeting with the Energy Minister and David Mundell in advance of the expected announcement on 12th June where I will also once again raise the pressing issues which need to be addressed urgently if we are to retain a coal industry in Scotland and restore the environment to an acceptable level.
Sandra Osborne MP has demanded an urgent meeting with UK Energy minister in advance of an expected announcement on rail freight charges by the Office of the Rail Regulator on 12th June which she has warned will be the final nail in the coffin of the coal industry in Scotland.
She said:
' Local communities in the coalfield areas are still reeling from the recent job losses as a result of SRG going in to liquidation. There are also very serious issues with financing major restoration works which will be required throughout the area.
I welcome the setting up of the Coal Taskforce which I called for as soon as I heard about the crisis.
However I was astounded at this week's meeting to hear from the Office of the Rail Regulator that they are still looking to impose rail freight charges even though it is clear they are totally unsustainable and will undoubtedly result in the death knell for the coal industry in Scotland.
I held a debate in Westminster in October last year during the consultation process and I wonder where the siren voices of the SNP were then although I welcome their intervention even at this late stage.
The UK Government need to get off the fence on this and recognise the clear and present danger these charges represent to hundreds of jobs and ensure they do not go ahead.
I have asked for a further urgent meeting with the Energy Minister and David Mundell in advance of the expected announcement on 12th June where I will also once again raise the pressing issues which need to be addressed urgently if we are to retain a coal industry in Scotland and restore the environment to an acceptable level.