THE firm threatening closure of the historic ‘Caley’ railway works in Springburn is asking the Scottish Government to bail out loses incurred at a site in England, according to unions.

Unite leaders met with Scottish Government officials and the owners Gemini at Holyrood to try and save the yard from closure.

Hopes of a breakthrough were raised with the government agreeing to fund a study into electrifying the line into the yard which would allow it to bid for more work.

However, relations between unions and management have hit rock bottom, with members stating they have no trust or confidence in the owners.

Pay McIlvogue of Unite said Gemini Rail admitted that the Springburn site is only responsible for 10 per cent of the group’s £5.3m losses, which he said amounts to around half a million pounds.

He said the firm asked the Scottish Government for £3m not to serve redundancy notices, effectively seeking Scotland to bail out English losses, which the company says is not true. He said: “Unite firmly believes that the Springburn depot is financially viable, however, time is running out. We need solutions brought forward as a matter of urgency.”

Paul Sweeney, Glasgow North East Labour MP, said Gemini are determined to walk away from the site on March 4.

He said: “We need the Scottish Government to grasp this. The Caley can be a Scottish railway engineering campus.” He welcomed the electrification study but said more action is required.

He added: “Government needs to take over the lease of the site and the 120 workers. I’m not in government but I’ll do all I can to keep it open and give the Caley a

future.”

Bob Doris SNP Mayhill and Springburn MSP welcomed the electrification study and said the 45 day consultation period must be extended.

He said: “It was encouraging to hear that there has been some interest in the site from industry but developing a sustainable business model will take time.”

Nick Fitzwater, managing director of Gemini Rail Services, said: “We are exploring with key stakeholders viable ideas and proposals for the site. We are committed to these talks and they will continue.”