Workers at Oldbury Power Station to be supported as closure looms

Joe Lamonby, the Oldbury site director, has said Magnox, the company which runs the 40-year-old power station, is working closely with its 460 staff members as the plant prepares to stop generating electricity.

The site is due to shut down both its reactors by summer next year, however plans are being made to keep reactor one going for an extra 12 months, as long as Oldbury gets the approval of industry regulators.

"This is great news for the country because we will have more low carbon electricity, and it is great news for the staff because it will mean continued employment," said Mr Lamonby.

Despite the likely extension to the station’s lifespan, Magnox has already started talks with staff and trade unions about the future staffing structure at the site.

When Oldbury finally stops generating power staff levels will be reduced to between approximately 330 and 380, though a final figure is yet to be decided.

Speaking at a community event held in Thornbury last night, Mr Lamonby said: "We’ve spent a long time looking at people issues, many of whom have worked at the power plant much of their working lives.

"Some will be looking to retire and some will be wanting to pursue alternative careers in nuclear power, and we will be supporting them in retraining.

"The nuclear industry is having a resurgence with Horizon looking to build in Oldbury, but there will be opportunities all over the country and some will want to pursue that.

"We have to work very carefully with our staff, design a new structure and establish what they want to do."

Mr Lamonby said the company had initially hoped some staff could move to the new power station that is being proposed for the Oldbury area.

Horizon announced earlier this year that it will build in Anglesey before developing the site it has bought in Shepperdine, which is dependent on whether or not the energy company gets planning consent.