The closure of Loughborough’s historic Brush Traction locomotive manufacturing site with the loss of around 300 jobs is a ‘crushing blow’ for the workforce and local area, according to the Unite union.

Brush Traction is owned by American rail company Wabtec, which said in a statement that reduced volumes had made the site ‘unsustainable’.

Unite has more than 100 members at the Loughborough factory and is in consultation with Brush Traction management over the proposed redundancies. The plant, known locally as the ‘Falcon Works’, was established in 1865 to build steam locomotives.

Unite regional officer Lakhy Mahal said: “Wabtec’s announcement that it is planning to shut the historic Falcon Works is a crushing blow to the workforce and to the local area. Unite is in consultation with the company and is fighting to ensure that our members are offered alternative employment at other sites, if that is what they want.

“If it isn’t, we will be negotiating for them to receive the best redundancy packages possible. Unite will also be putting together a programme of support for members to help them navigate what is an extremely difficult time.”