Proposed closures of bus maker's Scottish sites are 'not done deal'

THE closure of Alexander Dennis sites in Scotland is “not a done deal”, the company told MSPs yesterday.

- By Craig Paton

However, orders for up to 100 buses and changes to regulations are needed before the end of the year.

The bus firm announced the start of a consultation which would see the consolidation of its manufacturing business at a single site in Scarborough, shutting its Falkirk plant and ceasing production at the nearby Larbert factory, with 400 jobs in jeopardy.

But appearing before the Economy and Fair Work Committee yesterday, the firm’s boss said the closure was not a foregone conclusion.

Managing director Paul Davies said: “It is absolutely not a done deal. It is a consultation process.

“We are very grateful for the active engagement we have had from both governments, from other political parties and stakeholders. We are absolutely committed to keeping those conversations going, along with this committee too.”