Cammell Laird
WIRRAL council leader Steve Foulkes last night welcomed the news Cammell Laird has been named as a preferred bidder in a multi-million pound MoD contract.
He said the authority had always believed in the viability of ship building and repair industry at the site, and had even at one stage “banged heads together” to ensure its future.
Cllr Foulkes said: “We have done everything we can to ensure this industry could survive there.
“They were off-site at one stage, and we did bang heads together and made sure they did not give up on it.”
He praised current owner Peel, which he said also believed in the importance of the industry to the area.
Cllr Foulkes added: “This is the sort of thing councils can do behind the scenes, not always getting credit for it.
“There is a future in this industry, and it will safeguard and boost jobs in the local economy.”
Deputy council leader Simon Holbrook also insisted this type of industry could be key to Wirral’s ability to come out of the current recession.
