Clydesdale’s Broken Cross is working again

The re-starting of work at Broken Cross, with 110 people being employed there by new operator Hargreaves, has been welcomed by Labour South of Scotland List MSP Claudia Beamish.

Almost 600 workers lost their jobs at the Broken Cross, Glentaggart and Mainshill opencast sites in April last year when Scottish Coal went into liquidation.

It was hoped that at least some of those thrown out of work would be taken back on when much of the former Scottish Coal operations were quickly taken over by Hargreaves.

The Broken Cross site is the first in Clydesdale to resume working under the new management.

Claudia said: “This announcement will allow 110 people to return to work and that is to be welcomed.

“The decision provides some assurance to the community that the mine will not be left unrestored.

“However, more broadly there are serious question marks over the management of restoration works across the country.

“These must be addressed by the Scottish Government’s consultation on effective regulation of the coal industry.”

For more on this, pick up a copy of this week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette.