A commitment to employment at Ryton site
A pledge has come from Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council and Rugby Borough Council to ensure that employment opportunities continue at Ryton if Peugeot ceases car production at the site.
Talks were held among top officials and politicians from the three local authorities yesterday, and all have agreed a commitment to the future of the Peugeot site, even if the French car manufacturer decides to close down production.
The talks were held following the announcement this week from PSA Peugeot Citroen that it is to cease all manufacturing at Ryton next year with the loss of 2,300 jobs.
Cllr Alan Farnell, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “We are extremely disappointed at the announcement from Peugeot, but want to reassure the people of Warwickshire and Coventry that if the company does leave the site, we will continue to strive to ensure a major employment-led development continues on the 143 acres.”
Cllr Gordon Collett, Rugby Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Borough and Economic Development, added: “This is an extremely attractive site for any potential investors. It is at the centre of the motorway network nationally, has an airport just nearby, and is based in Warwickshire next to an increasingly buoyant city.”
The three local authorities today met with Advantage West Midlands, the Chamber, the Learning and Skills Council and Job Centre Plus in a bid to discuss how to handle the impact on the region of the potential closure of the Peugeot site.
They were joined by Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Alan Johnson, who pledged Government support and to take issues raised by the local partners to Peugeot’s chief officers.