Factory closure to cost 170 jobs

Developers want to build a housing estate on the site

One hundred and seventy jobs are to be lost with the closure of a plant on a former asbestos factory site.

US-based Federal-Mogul told workers on Friday that it does not need the factory on the former Turner and Newall site, in Spodden Valley, Rochdale.

Local residents fear the factory's closure will speed up moves to build 650 homes on the site.

Campaigners fear any development could disturb asbestos which has been dumped on the site.

Factory future

The US-based car parts giant Federal-Mogul plans to close the plant although it has told workers there will also be a consultation process about the future of the factory based at Rooley Moor Road.

It has two manufacturing operations - Sealing Systems and Systems Protection at the plant - which employ 170 people between them.

"We have to consolidate our businesses worldwide if we are to compete successfully," said a company spokesman.

"Sadly, this proposal has serious implications for our Rochdale business."

"In the case of both Sealing Systems and System Protection, we already have production capacity and expertise at other Federal-Mogul sites and so can supply customers from those locations."

Work has been carried out to remove asbestos contaminated rubble on the rest of the former Turner and Newall site, after a campaign by residents over possible health risks.

It followed admissions by developers MMC Estates and Countryside Properties that they twice failed to disclose asbestos had been found on the site.

Only three companies are left on the site.