STEELMAKER SSI announced today that it has suspended production at its Redcar plant and begun redundancy talks with 150 workers.

Peter Thorne, 67, of Redcar, said: “I feel so sorry for the people who work there as it must be devastating for them. Sadly, this could have an impact for all the small businesses in the area that rely on the steelworks. Let’s hope it isn’t closed down for good.”

And there were fears that the area’s rich heritage of iron and steel work would be lost forever if the ‘pause’ became permanent.

Gordon Harrison, 72, a retired steelworker, said: “Steel is such an important part of Teesside’s history – it would be terrible if the steelworks closed down and everyone lost their jobs.

“We will have to wait and see what happens but the future of heavy industry in the area is definitely under threat with this news.”

And Margaret Stephens added: “Everybody knows somebody who works or has worked at the steelworks – it is part of who we are. It would be so sad if it closed down for good.”

Vic Jeffries, a retired steelworker and former member of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: “This is devastating for the entire community. Nothing will change unless the plant gets the support of the government.

“Everyone knows there is a stock pile of steel from countries like India, China and America, so they need some help to stay open. The only way it can have a future is if they get financial support and changes to business rates and energy charges.”

The Northern Echo:

Redcar MP Anna Turley, pictured above, said: “This is devastating news and my thoughts are with the workers and their families, particularly those at the South Bank Coke Ovens where the mothballing has been brought forward.

“The plant has been very vulnerable for a while now which is the reason I called the debate yesterday to get the government to recognise how bad the situation is.

“I have been speaking to SSI, Community Union, and the Minister’s office today to see what steps can be taken.

“At this stage the blast furnace is not being mothballed and will remain lit. We have to keep fighting to keep the plant open. It is too important to UK industry and to our community to fail. The government must step in.”

The Northern Echo:

Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Cllr Sue Jeffrey, pictured above, said: “This news is a real blow to our communities and my thoughts are with everyone affected by today’s announcement.

“We have fought long and hard to get steel production up and running again, since it was mothballed in 2010. And we recognise how important this is to our local economy, and the impact on the prosperity and the wellbeing of our people.

“I’m disappointed that the global market situation has led to SSI’s decision to close the South Bank coke ovens and pause production, particularly as we have all worked so hard in recent years to support and nurture the business.

“We will do everything we can as a council to work with SSI to try and ensure that steelmaking is sustained into the future.

“But National Government must take the lead to support the steel industry both here in the Tees Valley and across the UK. We need to see the rhetoric of the Northern Powerhouse turned into action. This is the first real test of this key government policy and they need to show that they can deliver.”