Gemini Rail Services has announced that its Springburn rail depot in Glasgow is to close despite efforts to save it.
The decision has been blamed on adverse market conditions, with the amount of pre-privatisation rolling stock – which Gemini’s core business is based on – dropping from 6,648 vehicles in operation in 2018 to 1,407 in 2024 as a result of the industry’s train building boom, according to Gemini.
It said that compounding this is the fact that around 10 per cent of all accessible rolling stock is in Scotland and the North of England – the geographical areas which Springburn serves.
Senior management told stakeholders that losses at the company amounted to £1 million per month throughout 2018.
Gemini will now proceed with a gradual closure programme and complete existing projects before its final exit in March 2020.
A spokesman for the company said: “We of course know and accept this decision will have an impact on our workers, their families, and the wider community. Our priority now is to fully support our employees, who have been informed of the decision. The company has raised the opportunity of enhanced redundancy packages. We hope to be able to agree terms with union and staff representatives shortly.
“Following our initial announcement in December, the company held many meetings with key stakeholders to discuss ideas over the future of the Springburn site. This has included the Scottish Government, local politicians, Scottish Enterprise, Transport Scotland, ScotRail, industry experts, current customers and potential new ones, and the landlord of the Springburn site.
“Unfortunately, despite this proactive and detailed programme of discussions, no solution was found and the board do not consider that there is any viable option to sustain the operation at Springburn.”
