Scarborough MP Robert Goodwill hails green revolution as good news for Plaxton

Robert Goodwill says the aims set out for green public transport will be a boost to the Eastfield coach building factory.

“I am delighted that the ten point plan recognises the part that green electric buses produced in Scarborough can have,” he said.

“I already see Plaxton Enviro 200 and 400 battery electric buses in London every day I am there.

"Lots more cities will get ‘electrified’ under this ambitious plan.

“Good news for the environment and great news for those working at the Scarborough plant.”

Plaxton’s owners - Alexander Dennis Limited - has also welcomed the UK Government’s ten point plan for a “Green Industrial Revolution” and the commitment to invest £120m to begin the introduction of at least 4,000 more British-built zero emission buses.

The firm says it is eagerly awaiting the publication of the National Bus Strategy and further detail of the two all-electric bus towns and the first fully zero-emission city centre.

It says with demand for new vehicles declining in light of the pandemic, inaction to date has “put thousands of green jobs in bus manufacturing and the wider supply chain at risk, suppressing an industry that will play a pivotal role in the UK’s green recovery”.

Earlier this year, the company announced that 90 jobs were to go at the Eastfield factory, while it would shut its Guildford production site and cut 160 jobs in Falkirk.

It warned bus orders will need to be placed imminently to ensure delivery as early as possible in 2021.

Paul Davies, the firm’s President and Managing Director, said: “This is the very first step in honouring commitments to invest in green buses and will bring back much-needed demand in a sector whose expertise and capacity is essential as the United Kingdom seeks to build a more sustainable future.

“An investment in British-built green buses is an investment in British communities that benefits the nation’s economy.

“As the industry’s leader, we remain eager to see this announcement become a reality and put thousands of zero-emission vehicles on Britain’s roads.

“We stand ready to help drive the nation’s green recovery.”

A message from the editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive.

We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you,

Jean MacQuarrie, Editor-in-Chief