LEADERS in Barrow have welcomed news that production of Britain's new fleet of nuclear submarines will start at the BAE Systems shipyard this week.

Over the weekend, defence secretary Michael Fallon announced £1.25bn would support the first stage of constructing four new submarines at the shipyard in Barrow.

The MP is due to visit Barrow this week for a ceremony to signal the start of the project.

RELATED ARTICLE: Barrow shipyard awarded more than £1bn to build new fleet of submarines


John Woodcock. John Woodcock, MP for Barrow and Furness, has welcomed news production will begin.

He said: "This is an important milestone for the defence of our nation and for the economic stability of our community with jobs being created and businesses benefiting from the investment.

"It is also a strong vote of confidence in BAE Systems' immensely talented workforce as the project moves forward.

"After the historic vote in parliament this summer that put the project past the point of no return, my focus is now to ensure the investment stays on track and helps lift all parts of the area unlike boom periods of previous decades."

RELATED ARTICLE: Union leader tells Barrow shipyard workers: 'We will fight against Jeremy Corbyn to protect your jobs'


Terry Waiting. Terry Waiting, former mayor of Barrow and the chairman of Keep Our Future Afloat, a campaign to secure investment in the industry and in Barrow shipyard, said: "It's excellent news. It's a huge investment that the government are making in Barrow and the workforce and I'm sure they will all be very happy with that.

"It's still a long way off before they are coming out of the shed but at least this is the first step.

"We have got to make sure that they stick with it whoever is in charge because we have got mixed messages from various places and it's unnerving on occasion but this is terrific.

"We should take a little bit of time to celebrate."