Disused shipyards scattered around the UK’s coastline could become new hubs for British manufacturing under proposals revealed yesterday.
Speaking during a visit to a former shipyard in Newcastle, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg set out a pledge to create 57,000 manufacturing jobs by investing some £400 million into the upgrade of old shipyards.
The Green Jobs manifesto would see shipping sites regenerated into plants where offshore wind turbines could be created, instead of seeing them being built abroad.
"Investing in infrastructure for a new green economy not only helps create jobs now but will allow Britain to take its place at the cutting edge of this growing industrial sector for the future," remarked Nick Clegg.
The development of shipyards in the UK would also result in the demand for British-based machinery parts required for heavy loading such as chain and flight conveyors, bucket elevators, slide valves and diverters.
If passed, the manifesto could breathe new life into Britain’s manufacturing industry.
Commenting on the announcement, Greenpeace executive director John Sauven said: "Using shipyards to launch a fleet of offshore turbines could make Britain an international powerhouse in wind power, and create thousands of jobs."