The Ministry of Defence is under pressure to clarify the future of the Redford and Dreghorn barracks and Criagiehall command centre after The Scotsman reported the army’s commanding officer in Scotland, Major General David Shaw, as casting doubt on plans to close the barracks and build a new base at Kirknewton.
SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, which includes the Redford and Dreghorn Barracks, Gordon MacDonald is to write to the Ministry of Defence asking for immediate clarity on the future of the barracks.
“The Ministry of Defence must clarify what their plans are for the Redford and Dreghorn barracks. Their closure would leave a huge hole in Edinburgh and people living in the city want certainty.
“I know there have been concerns from within the army in Scotland that these closures are ill-judged and do not take account of all the facilities used at the barracks.
“The basing review has been a farce from start to finish but now it looks like it has also been a waste of time.
“Communities must have certainty and the MoD has a responsibility to those at and around Redford, Dreghorn and Craigiehall to tell people what is going on.”
SNP Westminster leader and Defence spokesperson Angus Robertson MP added:
“The basing review is unravelling and we urgently need clarity from the Ministry of Defence about any changes to the decisions that were announced in the summer. The UK Government has already created an enormous amount of uncertainty for communities and defence personnel who deserve to know what is going on. Decisions over bases in one area clearly raise knock-on questions for other communities and the MoD must let people know where they stand.”
