FUTURE 'BLEAK' FOR ESSEX

Substantial job cuts are taking place at the Essex unit as it struggles to keep afloat.
Out of the 42 staff, up to 22 face redundancy. Some have worked for the unit for more than 15 years. Work has been so short that diggers were painting the walls of the Braintree HQ to keep them busy. Managers are also under threat, but ‘the hardest hit will be diggers and supervisors,’ a source told us.

Earlier this year, The Digger revealed that the Oxford unit (OAU) had approached Essex council to take the unit over. However now ‘the merger with Oxford seems to be very much on the back burner - with the heat turned off!’

‘There is a little more work about now, but not enough to make a real difference. I don't see how this is really going to save the unit, as no structure so top-heavy can survive for long,’ said our source. ‘Frankly it all looks very bleak.’

Link : http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/esd/planningandenvironment/historicbuildings/field/default.htm