MIKE Amesbury has written to college bosses and tabled questions in Parliament over plans to axe Warrington and Vale Royal College’s Hartford Campus.

The Weaver Vale MP also blasted the way the college called the plans ‘exciting’ when it first revealed them last week, calling the statement ‘crass and insensitive’.

He has also signed a pettion by resident Stuart Williamson calling for the closure to be halted.

Mike said: “The fact this petition has almost 2,000 signatures already shows the strength of feeling out there.

“The government has deprived further education of much-needed funding for too long, and I have asked the Secretary of State for Education what assessment they have made not only of how these cuts have impacted this decision, but also what help can be put in place for those students who will now have to change campus part-way through their course.

“This is of huge concern, and I have also written to the college Principal and governors asking for this decision to be reversed.”

The Weaver Vale MP was also unhappy about the way the college announced the plans when it called them ‘exciting’.

He said: “These plans are anything but exciting for staff and students in my constituency.

“Up to 56 staff are facing job losses and that’s families who may not be able to make ends meet.

“There’s also the loss of further eductaion provision for Northwich. It was a crass and insensitive statement.”

MIKE Amesbury has written to college bosses and tabled questions in Parliament over plans to axe Warrington and Vale Royal College’s Hartford Campus.

The Weaver Vale MP also blasted the way the college called the plans ‘exciting’ when it first revealed them last week, calling the statement ‘crass and insensitive’.

He has also signed a pettion by resident Stuart Williamson calling for the closure to be halted.

Mike said: “The fact this petition has almost 2,000 signatures already shows the strength of feeling out there.

“The government has deprived further education of much-needed funding for too long, and I have asked the Secretary of State for Education what assessment they have made not only of how these cuts have impacted this decision, but also what help can be put in place for those students who will now have to change campus part-way through their course.

“This is of huge concern, and I have also written to the college Principal and governors asking for this decision to be reversed.”

The Weaver Vale MP was also unhappy about the way the college announced the plans when it called them ‘exciting’.

He said: “These plans are anything but exciting for staff and students in my constituency.

“Up to 56 staff are facing job losses and that’s families who may not be able to make ends meet.

“There’s also the loss of further eductaion provision for Northwich. It was a crass and insensitive statement.”

Martyn Moss, from the Universities and Colleges Union, welcomed Mike's comments and called for an explanation from the college. 

Martyn said: "We are pleased Mike Amesbury has voiced his concerns about the plans for Hartford campus and the potential loss of jobs.

"The college must publicly explain how the future of the Hartford campus has gone from secure to facing closure in a matter of months.

"We believe the college must better explain this decision and there must be a public consultation before any final decision is made."