By Lars Niven

Fife was rocked by yet another jobs blow yesterday, as the Government announced that 142 people are to be made redundant at the defence depot at Crombie.

The move, widely expected since a review of Ministry of Defence sites across Scotland was completed last year, was confirmed by Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram.

Mr Ingram said in a statement 67 jobs would go over the next 12 months, while the remainder would be shed at the site near Rosyth by 2010.

The announcement was described by politicians as “grim” and “disappointing” news for workers at the depot, which once employed hundreds of people.

Crombie was opened in 1916 to provide munitions storage and supply for the former naval base at Rosyth.

Over the years its role has gradually declined, although it still provides one of the best deep-water berths in Scotland. In recent years it has continued to provide explosives processing and storage and support to the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships.

Over the course of the next five years the MoD plans to switch the explosives processing and storage to other sites in Scotland. Those could include Beith in Ayrshire and Glen Douglas, further north on Loch Long. Only 26 people will be left to provide a supplies service for Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships.

The MoD said the move was part of its plans to improve logistics support to its front-line troops. Mr Ingram added that he had backed the review’s recommendations to scale back munitions work at Crombie.

“The recommendations will be implemented as quickly as possible so as to limit staff uncertainty,” he said. “Every opportunity will be taken to reduce via natural wastage and voluntary retirement, but redundancies may still be necessary.”

Scott Barrie, Labour MSP for Dunfermline West, said, “This is not the news that I or the people who work at Crombie were hoping for.” He thought the workforce had put up strong reasons for the depot to remain open.

Mr Barrie said it appeared from Mr Ingram’s statement that one small olive branch had been extended to the workforce.

“I will need to speak to the union to find out the exact detail, but I am hopeful that the staff involved will be able to re-locate to other jobs within the MoD,” he said.

“If not I’ll be doing all I can in conjunction with the likes of Scottish Enterprise Fife and Fife Council to help them find alternative jobs here in Fife.”

Willie Rennie, Lib Dem MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, said the news was a bitter blow to the area.

“This is very grim news for west Fife and especially all those who work at Crombie.

“I am disappointed that the Ministry of Defence has not listened to the representations made about this important defence munitions centre. I will be seeking a meeting with the minister to see if we can reverse this decision.”