BAE Systems and the UK’s North-West Regional Development Agency (NWDA) have launched a joint initiative that could help create thousands of aerospace jobs.
The two organisations are conducting a review of the long-term future of BAE’s site at Samlesbury, Lancashire, which could lead to the site being redeveloped as a regional aerospace business park.
Thousands of jobs could be sustained or created in the north-west of England if the development goes ahead.
The scheme, which resulted from a memorandum of understanding between BAE and the NWDA to jointly develop a strategy for the entire north-west aerospace industry, will first undergo feasibility and viability studies, with work possibly beginning on-site in 2007.
To be funded jointly by government and industry, the development is likely to take about 10 years to complete. Other joint studies and reviews looking at the prospects of different aspects of the industry in the region will also be undertaken soon.
Samlesbury has played an important role in some of BAE’s major projects, including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
BAE group managing director Nigel Whitehead says: “The proposed development will help the NWDA and BAE Systems maximise the region’s skills, technology and knowledge.”
Source: Flight International
