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Title: Devonport Dockyard - discussions about its future Post by: Lee on February 24, 2008, 22:49:24 Devonport Dockyard will close within five years, an anonymous senior naval source has told a national newspaper, in direct opposition to the view of the current naval base commander (link below.)
http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429&command=displayContent&sourceNode=229968&home=yes&more_nodeId1=133174&contentPK=19970494 According to the Sunday Times the Royal Navy's submarine work will all move to Faslane in Scotland and five Devonport frigates will be axed in defence cuts expected within weeks, leading to a rapid winding down of navy operations in Plymouth. While Plymouth has secured submarine work which will last until 2012, the city's expertise in refuelling and refitting nuclear submarines has become irrelevant, says The Times, because the new Astute submarines will have nuclear cores that last for the life of the vessel. Last year it had been expected one of the three bases, Plymouth, Portsmouth or Rosythe would close. The Government finally decided all three would stay open, but the Times today said senior navy and industry sources claimed that would not happen. Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: Lee on February 26, 2008, 08:12:49 More on this in the links below.
http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133464&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133158&contentPK=19970494&folderPk=78031&pNodeId=133174 http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133464&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133158&contentPK=19982719&folderPk=78031&pNodeId=133174 http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429&command=displayContent&sourceNode=229968&home=yes&more_nodeId1=133174&contentPK=19985382 Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: Lee on February 27, 2008, 18:51:44 Ministers have been challenged at Westminster over the threat to Plymouth's 'economic engine room' (link below.)
http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133464&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133158&contentPK=19995338&folderPk=78031&pNodeId=133174 Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: Lee on February 28, 2008, 11:56:57 Controversial claims that the Westcountry's historic naval base is to close in five years have been dismissed as "ill-informed" and "inaccurate" by the commander of the Plymouth facility and denied by others (links below.)
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144125&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232450&contentPK=20008664&folderPk=108202&pNodeId=251466 http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429&command=displayContent&sourceNode=229968&home=yes&more_nodeId1=133174&contentPK=20008196 http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429&command=displayContent&sourceNode=229968&home=yes&more_nodeId1=133174&contentPK=20008198 Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: smokey on February 28, 2008, 17:30:26 I just wonder if Dockyard (Devonport) station would see a minimum service if the Dockyard Closes.
Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: Chris from Nailsea on February 28, 2008, 23:08:01 I can't see the whole dockyard being closed down altogether, in this scenario: surely, with all that existing infrastructure, expertise and skilled workforce on site, even if they lose the Royal Navy work, there will still be contracts with foreign navies, commercial shipping companies, etc.?
Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: Lee on March 03, 2008, 08:11:51 Interesting piece, with a Plymouth-Portsmouth comparison (link below.)
http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133464&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133158&contentPK=20029406&folderPk=78031&pNodeId=133174 Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: BRADNOCK on March 03, 2008, 09:21:04 The powers that be decided to close the base at Portland Dorset some time ago as being uneconomical Then sold it to private company only to pay the same company for the reuse of the same facility and infrastructure
There seems to be more surface ships as befor and there is even rumors of some Submarines reusing the port. The moral to this story is that the MOD/Government have not got a clue and any thing is possible. Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: Lee on March 06, 2008, 12:29:04 Ministers have repeated assurances that there are no plans to close Devonport Naval Base in a debate in the House of Commons (link below.)
http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429&command=displayContent&sourceNode=229968&home=yes&more_nodeId1=133174&contentPK=20082262 Speculation that Plymouth could also lose Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) have also been scotched by the Government. Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: Lee on March 07, 2008, 22:05:44 Warships and submarines will need less maintenance and fewer refits in the future, a defence minister has warned (link below.)
http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133464&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133158&contentPK=20082262&folderPk=78031&pNodeId=133174 However, Bob Ainsworth told Plymouth MPs at Westminster that the Ministry of Defence would continue to work with Devonport operator Babcock Marine to provide the contracts needed to maintain the dockyard's 'most valuable skill base'. The Armed Forces Minister also insisted no decisions had yet been made over moving Navy ships from Devonport, or the other two naval bases at Portsmouth and Rosyth. Different options were always looked at he said, with many not going beyond initial consideration, but he could give no timetable for a decision to be made. Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: Lee on March 19, 2008, 12:07:07 South Yard at Devonport could be turned into a marine science park, with a new Marine Management Organisation (MMO) at its heart (link below.)
http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133464&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133158&contentPK=20184298&folderPk=78031&pNodeId=133174 Plymouth is on the short list to be the home of a new government agency to protect and manage the coastal environment. The agency could bring hundreds of jobs to Plymouth and help to kick-start the council's ambition to make the city the centre of marine excellence. Setting up a Marine Management Organisation is a key part of the Marine Bill, which is expected to go through Parliament late this year or early next. Linda Gilroy, the Plymouth Sutton MP, toured Devonport Naval Base with Bob Ainsworth, the Armed Forces Minster, this week. She said the Ministry of Defence was preparing to sell off large parts of South Yard at Devonport as part of a programme known as Project Roundel. Earlier Mr Ainsworth said there was a lot of potential for commercial development on the seafront, like yacht-building. Quote from: Bob Ainsworth (Armed Forces Minister) "We need to continue making investments in Devonport, but there are derelict areas. "We need to be working with Plymouth City Council to release those so they can be put to good use by the rest of the city economy." The South Yard covers an area of 84 acres. The Navy said this week that no decision had been made on how much of that would be released. A spokeswoman said the Navy and Babcock Marine would need to retain some parts of it. Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: Lee on March 26, 2008, 00:24:59 The leader of Plymouth City Council has called on the Government to come clean about the future of Devonport Dockyard and the Naval Base (link below.)
http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429&command=displayContent&sourceNode=229968&home=yes&more_nodeId1=133174&contentPK=20227214 In a letter to Bob Ainsworth, the Armed Forces Minister, Cllr Vivien Pengelly wrote: "The city needs clarity from the Government on its plans for medium and long term." Mr Ainsworth has given answers in the House of Commons to questions from Plymouth Sutton MP Linda Gilroy, and last week he was interviewed by The Herald during a visit to Devonport. However, Cllr Pengelly has called on him to give 'detailed rather than general responses'. Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: Lee on March 27, 2008, 16:23:56 Plans for Devonport to forge a permanent alliance with other firms and the Ministry of Defence, to carry out the future maintenance and repair of warships, have been delayed (link below.)
http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133464&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133158&contentPK=20248273&folderPk=78031&pNodeId=133174 Detailed talks on the radical move have been extended for another 12 months, says Defence Secretary Des Browne. Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: Lee on April 15, 2008, 16:37:05 The leader of Plymouth City Council has called on the Government to come clean about the future of Devonport Dockyard and the Naval Base (link below.) http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429&command=displayContent&sourceNode=229968&home=yes&more_nodeId1=133174&contentPK=20227214 In a letter to Bob Ainsworth, the Armed Forces Minister, Cllr Vivien Pengelly wrote: "The city needs clarity from the Government on its plans for medium and long term." Mr Ainsworth has given answers in the House of Commons to questions from Plymouth Sutton MP Linda Gilroy, and last week he was interviewed by The Herald during a visit to Devonport. However, Cllr Pengelly has called on him to give 'detailed rather than general responses'. Council leader Vivien Pengelly has accused Bob Ainsworth of giving her the brush-off over the future of Devonport Naval Base and Dockyard (link below.) http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429&command=displayContent&sourceNode=229968&home=yes&more_nodeId1=133174&contentPK=20401308 Now Cllr Pengelly has written a second letter to the minister and called on him to meet her face-to-face. Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: Lee on April 18, 2008, 11:17:57 A union leader will today warn politicians not to "play games" with the future of Devonport Dockyard (links below.)
http://thisiscornwall.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144125&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232510&home=yes&more_nodeId1=232470&contentPK=20428887 http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133464&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133158&contentPK=20429716&folderPk=78031&pNodeId=133174 http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429&command=displayContent&sourceNode=229968&home=yes&more_nodeId1=133174&contentPK=20434336 http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429&command=displayContent&sourceNode=229968&home=yes&more_nodeId1=133174&contentPK=20432984 Jack Dromey, deputy general secretary of Unite, will call on all parties to concentrate on ensuring there are enough contracts for Devonport to secure its future, rather than bickering with each other. A Unite spokesman said Mr Dromey will report publicly on discussions he has had with Defence Secretary Des Browne, confirming that the future of the historic dockyard and naval base is "safe". Mr Dromey is also expected to accuse Conservatives in Plymouth of trying to stoke up fear about the future of the dockyard in order to make gains in next month's local election. The Conservatives have said they are simply trying to get answers from the Government about the future of the facility. Linda Gilroy, Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton, told the Western Morning News last night that she would be supporting Mr Dromey, with fellow Plymouth MP Alison Seabeck, over his scathing comments. Mrs Gilroy said Conservative MPs in the region had been engaged in a positive way in discussions about Devonport. But she accused Conservative councillors in Plymouth of playing party politics. Mrs Gilroy was referring to comments made earlier this week by the leader of Plymouth City Council, who had accused a Government minister of "ignoring" her concerns about the future of the dockyard. Vivien Pengelly wrote to Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth last month, asking for "clarity" on its plans. Mrs Pengelly was unavailable for comment last night about Mr Dromey's and Mrs Gilroy's claims. Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: Chris from Nailsea on November 08, 2008, 17:05:23 "Hundreds of workers are to lose their jobs at Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth.
Owner, Babcock Marine, confirmed that up to 300 jobs were to go in the cost-cutting measure, after workers were briefed by managers. The yard is Plymouth's largest business employer - with 5,000 staff. The cuts equate to 6% of the workforce." From the BBC, see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/7714819.stm and http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7716132.stm and, from The Herald, http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Dockyard-cuts-300-jobs/article-455471-detail/article.html Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on November 09, 2008, 01:09:44 I KNOW ITS TRAGIC FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK THERE BUT IF YOU OWNED A BUSINESS AND COLD SAVE MILLIONS YOU WOULD RITE?
Title: Re: Sunday Times - Devonport Dockyard To Close Within 5 Years Post by: Chris from Nailsea on November 09, 2008, 20:54:59 From The Herald: No more jobs cuts at Devonport Dockyard
Quote The boss of Devonport Dockyard says the future remains bright for Plymouth's biggest employer despite yesterday's announcement of 300 impending job losses. Archie Bethel, chief executive of yard operators Babcock Marine, says there are no plans for further cuts. That assurance comes despite the company's announcement in February that 600 jobs were likely to go, and contrasts sharply with a figure of 900 projected jobs losses put forward by previous owner DML last year. For the full article, see http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/s-yard-job-cuts/article-459217-detail/article.html Title: Re: Devonport Dockyard - discussions about its future Post by: Chris from Nailsea on April 14, 2012, 23:19:48 From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17516680):
Quote Philip Hammond on next generation of nuclear submarines Defence Secretary Philip Hammond's visit to Devonport Naval Base gave me the opportunity to quiz him on a range of naval matters. He was there to announce the ^350 million contract for Babcock to refit the Vanguard Class submarine, HMS Vengeance. The contract - and the 2,000 jobs the MOD says it will secure over the next three and a half years - will, of course, be very welcome. But Devonport, understandably, always has at least one eye on the future. With this in mind I asked Mr Hammond about the next generation of nuclear submarines (the Vanguard Class have had their lives extended but are still on the way out), Devonport's future as a "deep maintenance" centre and whether the two new aircraft carriers will definitely be built and what kind of planes will fly from them. You'll notice that, as our waterside chat proceeded, I was sporting a hard hat. This was a safety precaution enjoined on me by the naval authorities rather than a voluntary attempt to cut a dash among my colleagues or in front of the camera. Everybody else was dutifully wearing the same headgear. Everybody that is except Mr Hammond and constituency MP Oliver Colvile, whom you can glimpse behind me during the interview and who appeared to take Mr Hammond's hat-doffing as the cue to bare his own head. Mr Colvile later explained that he and the Secretary of State had asked - and received - specific permission from Babcock to remove their hats when they finished their tour of the submarine itself. This, though, seems at variance with the navy's policy of issuing absolutely everybody else with hard hats even if - like me - they were merely standing on the quayside. I could make a personal observation here that perhaps Babcock considered that the Defence Secretary and the local MP are so thick-skinned (or indeed hard-headed) that they didn't need such protective equipment - but I won't. Oh .. I just did ? ::) Title: Re: Devonport Dockyard - discussions about its future Post by: Chris from Nailsea on October 10, 2012, 23:36:53 From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-19903749):
Quote Royal Navy builds amphibious fleet centre at Devonport Building work on a new ^30m home for the Royal Navy's amphibious fleet is under way at Plymouth's Devonport Dockyard. The buildings will house landing craft and assault vessels as well as acting as a training base for Royal Marines. The naval base is already the joint home to 1 Assault Group Royal Marines and the Assault Squadrons. About 400 Navy and Marine personnel will be based at the centre. This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |