Full Breakdown
SNP’s Bus-Manufacturing Plan Falters as Alexander Dennis Shifts Production and Funding Dispute Grows
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ADL Factory Closure and Job Cuts
Alexander Dennis (ADL) announced the closure of its Camelon plant in Falkirk, ending full-bus assembly at Scotland’s last remaining double-deck builder. The company will retain its Larbert facility, converting it to chassis-only production. ADL says the move will safeguard approximately 200 skilled positions at Larbert but will eliminate an additional 115 jobs tied to the Camelon site.
Political Background and the ScotZEB3 Funding Scheme
Before the 2021 Holyrood election, the Scottish National Party (SNP) pledged financial support to ADL as part of broader negotiations aimed at keeping both Falkirk factories open. The promise was linked to the third round of the Scottish Zero-Emission Bus challenge fund (ScotZEB3), a £45 million programme intended to deliver 334 zero-emission buses and coaches across Scotland.
McGills, one of the country’s largest bus operators, applied to ScotZEB3 for £4.36 million to fund 33 ADL-built battery-electric buses and 13 charging stations. The fund ultimately allocated half of its vehicles to Yutong, a Chinese manufacturer, prompting a legal challenge from McGills over the perceived shortfall in Scottish-built bus procurement.
Data and Statistics
- Jobs at risk: 115 positions eliminated at the Camelon plant; 200 jobs retained at Larbert.
- Funding request: McGills sought £4.36 million from ScotZEB3 for ADL-built electric buses and chargers.
- ScotZEB3 budget: £45 million shared among five projects, targeting 334 zero-emission vehicles.
- Factory history: The Camelon site has operated since 1958 and requires substantial investment; the Larbert plant has received recent upgrades.
Official Statements & Responses
An ADL spokesperson expressed deep disappointment that the firm must absorb the full cost of the furlough scheme after the expected government support failed to materialise.
What’s Next
The legal challenge by McGills remains pending, and the SNP government faces pressure to clarify its funding commitments and the timeline for any further support to ADL’s remaining operations.