Last of the Heavy Industry
66162 passes Port Talbot (Margam) steel works with its two blast furnaces in view, carrying loaded steel from the nearby Trostre steel works (located just outside Llanelli) on the 6LH2 to Tilbury. Owned by Indian multi-national, Tata Steel, Port Talbot steel works is the largest steel making facility in UK producing up to 5 million tonnes of steel slab per annum and employing 4,000 workers. Unfortunately, due to cheap steel exports from China, the steel works is running at a loss and its long term future appears be in jeopardy - China is now exporting twice as much steel to the UK as it did in 2013. As a consequence the Company plans to lay off 750 workers. Other factors such as the extortionate cost of energy and business rates in the UK, which impact on operational costs, further reducing its economic viability. It will be interesting to see if government (and Welsh Assembly) will be able to assist the industry with respect to reduced business rates and cheaper energy to help its survival.
Last of the Heavy Industry
66162 passes Port Talbot (Margam) steel works with its two blast furnaces in view, carrying loaded steel from the nearby Trostre steel works (located just outside Llanelli) on the 6LH2 to Tilbury. Owned by Indian multi-national, Tata Steel, Port Talbot steel works is the largest steel making facility in UK producing up to 5 million tonnes of steel slab per annum and employing 4,000 workers. Unfortunately, due to cheap steel exports from China, the steel works is running at a loss and its long term future appears be in jeopardy - China is now exporting twice as much steel to the UK as it did in 2013. As a consequence the Company plans to lay off 750 workers. Other factors such as the extortionate cost of energy and business rates in the UK, which impact on operational costs, further reducing its economic viability. It will be interesting to see if government (and Welsh Assembly) will be able to assist the industry with respect to reduced business rates and cheaper energy to help its survival.