12:31pm Thursday 9th July 2009
impending closures of the Dow and Croda chemical plants on Teesside is terrible news for the 200 employees directly affected and our thoughts are with them.
But it is the potential knock-on effect which is a cause of grave concern.
Teesside has been a shining light in the North-East in recent years, with its process industries becoming renowned around the world for their excellence.
The Wilton International site, near Redcar, is home to several major chemical companies, employing thousands of people.
It has been an undeniable success story, but the impact of the recession is potentially devastating.
Union leaders have described the situation as a “monumental disaster for Teesside” with the future of the entire Wilton site under intense pressure.
With so much uncertainty also surrounding steelmaking on Teesside, these are deeply worrying times for the people of the area.
But we must not forget that Teesside has a great deal in its favour.
It has a first-class, adaptable workforce, well-versed in facing economic highs and lows.
It has superb infrastructure and an established global reputation. With so much at stake, every effort has to be made to find new investors.
And in the longer term, the official opening in Middlesbrough yesterday of the £10m Boho One building, which is at the heart of the DigitalCity project, is a timely example of how the Tees Valley must continually look to the future.
Developing the area into a world leader in the technology sector is an ambition well worth pursuing.
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