by George Tattum

A cement company hoping to invest about £50m in Flintshire has accused critics of trying to close it's operation.

The message came after action group Phoenix claimed Castle Cement is no longer a major employer in the area.

It says if there are redundancies workers can find other jobs and pick up golden handshakes.

Tony Allan, general manager of the company's Padeswood works, is enraged by the comment.

'To make light of the future livelihoods of our workforce is disgraceful,' he said.

His remarks were sparked by a statement from Phoenix spokeswoman Gilly Boyd, of Penymynydd.

Speaking after a visit to the Padeswood plant, she said they are puzzled by a statement from trade union leader, John Millward, who is celebrating 25 years at the cement works.

He appealed to people to support plans for a new kiln at Padeswood which would safeguard jobs.

Mrs Boyd said she is puzzled why Mr Millward is anxious about jobs at Padeswood when Castle says it will close four other kilns in the group if the Padeswood plan is given the green light.

'We must remember Castle Cement is now no longer a major employer in this area and that it's workforce has transferable skills as well as the prospect of a golden handshake,' she said.

'As for job losses other than at Castle Cement, some large and small businesses have already stated they will not expand and may even relocate if this new proposal goes ahead.

'Our concerns are for the well being of our communities as a whole. Our future health, our children's health and our environment's need to be safeguarded.'

Mr Allan says it is clear from Mrs Boyd's comments that her real agenda is to close the works.

'Padeswood works is a major employer in the area and contributes millions each year to the local economy,' he says.

The workforce of 203 which has families to support is 'sickened by the blatant scaremongering of Mrs Boyd and other protesters like her'.

Mr Allan says: 'Castle has always been clear that it's investment plan for Padeswood and Ribblesdale, which will bring major environmental improvements, would result in some job losses but the many remaining jobs will be secured long-term. In a point of fact there will be a net loss of 12 jobs at Padeswood.'

The Welsh Assembly has ordered a public inquiry into Castle's £48m modernisation plans which include firing a new kiln with waste chemicals, old tyres and plastics.

Public Reaction to this Article
27th July Letters in The Chester Chronicle
Motivated by Profit
        'Has Castle Cement's Padeswood plant manager Tony Allan lost the plot?'
Concerns over Health
        'As a spokewoman for Phoenix I cannot let the comments in your article of July 21 go unchallenged.'
Concern over health does not amount to scaremongering
        'No one has mentioned closing Castle other than Mr Allan himself'