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Jobs at risk as mining work interferes with phone links
Page 22
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Coal mining activities in Scotland are disrupting services and putting 125 jobs at a local distribution firm at risk. Lucia Cockcroft reports.
MORE THAN 100 jobs could be at. risk at Ramage Distribution's Lanarkshire site after operations at a nearby coal mine disrupted its telecoms links.
Ramage is considering relocating its head office from Glespin, in South Lanarkshire, where it employs 125 staff, to a new depot in Wigan, Lanes, if a permanent solution cannot be found.
The company's phone connection and vehicle tracking systems faltered intermittently over three days from 4 October.
The source of the problem was later pinpointed at Scottish Coal's neighbouring Cilentaggart mine, where dump trucks and a spoil tip were interfering with the signals.
Eddy Magilton, service director of Ramage, says Scottish Coal has agreed to cease operations at this part of the mine on a temporary basis, but that relocation of the Lanarkshire operation is an option if a permanent fix is not found.
Magilton adds that any decision to relocate would not be taken lightly: We have been here for over 30 years it would be an awful thing to have to do. But it is 100% important to have a reliable phone line. We rely on it for contact with customers and drivers."
A spokesperson for Scottish Coal said it was up to Ramage and BT to come up with a solution. Ramage Distribution employs 280 people across three UK sites.