Doncaster mayoral candidate wants to put a stop to huge city business closing

The Yorkshire Party candidate for Doncaster mayor, Andrew Walmsley, has called for Wabtec, known as ‘The Plant’, to stay open, amid reports that the railway works are due to close.

The closure is expected in 2026, although the timeline is uncertain.

Mr Walmsley said: “The news coming out from Wabtec The Plant is beyond disappointing, it’s an affront to Doncaster and a well-trained workforce. We’ve just had the great news that Germany’s second-largest airport owner wants to take on Doncaster Sheffield Airport, but now our skilled workers in the rail sector have been hit with this.

“I have heard from employees today how the management has cited product lines and cost challenges as reasons for leaving the UK market. At a time when people are being encouraged to use public transport more how can there not be more demand for maintenance services? Has

Wabtec senior management been going down the wrong direction?

“I’ve worked as an engineer for eight years, in design, management and quality, and I understand how crippling energy costs can be. In this case, you have all the demand of the welders alone not to mention machining equipment and heating.

"Just when is the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero - ironically headed by one of our own MPs - going to take energy intensive industries’ costs seriously?

"We have the highest energy costs in Europe, even higher than countries who still opencast mine for lignite (the worst coal), just how is this working when we were promised cheaper bills? The Yorkshire Party campaigns for cheaper, greener energy for economic reasons as well as environemntal.

“I’d also like to ask, why has this happened only now? We already have an anonymous source saying it’s come out now because the higher-ups forced managers to sign a non-disclosure agreement, which got leaked. Just what trends were clear and present over the past few years,

that’s led to Doncaster skilled workers now facing a job hunt? Why did Wabtec directors miss these?

“But the more important questions are as follows: Will the council hold off any attempt by Wabtec to sell land piecemeal before leaving, causing the site to become unviable for other buyers?

“What adult training is available to help these skilled workers convert to similar or higher paying jobs in other sectors?

“How big is the deficit on costs to make the site viable?

“Who will step in to keep rail vehicle maintenance levels stable?

“If you work at Wabtec and have seen anything you want putting forward, please do contact me at [email protected].

“I’m not about to stand by while Westminster lets Yorkshire skilled workers go, due to mismanagement or government and Ofgem failures to price energy properly. Doncaster and the area has its place in rail - Hitachi maintain here, Siemens has come to build up the road in Goole,

don’t tell me Doncaster isn’t viable.”