UK Coal to press on with Telford mining
Tuesday 19th April 2011, 3:10PM BST.
UK Coal is to press ahead with plans to mine thousands of tonnes of coal in Shropshire despite recording massive losses for the second consecutive year.
The firm wants to extract 900,000 tonnes of coal and 250,000 tonnes of fire clay from Huntington Lane, between New Works and Little Wenlock, despite widespread opposition from local residents.
And despite its latest results showing losses of more than £100 million for the last year, a UK Coal spokesman said it would not affect the plans, and that surface mining was key to turning around the company’s fortunes.
The spokesman said: “UK Coal represents one of the last parts of a proud and distinct industrial heritage in the UK.
“Our operations support some 3,000 highly-skilled colleagues and several thousand more jobs in the supply chain. However, as we have announced in our annual report, it is clear that the group is in a poor position.
“Today’s announcement has set out our determination to arrest the trend of poor performance.
“We have planning conditions agreed with our scheme at Huntington Lane and we take these very seriously. We are all determined to ensure that UK Coal has a bright future ahead.”
UK Coal is working on a business plan which it hopes will turn the company’s fortunes around.
Most Commented
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Shrewsbury’s broadband speed one of slowest in UK
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
