Star Comment: Significant moment for Shropshire
In February 1939, as war clouds gathered, an announcement was made that was to have a far-reaching impact on eastern Shropshire.
Donnington, at the time little more than a village, was earmarked to be the site of a £1 million "war depot". In the years that followed it became the largest military stores depot in Europe and played a vital part in supporting military operations around the world. A whole town grew up around the depot to house the thousands of workers.
The end of the Cold War and the massive contraction of Britain's armed forces means the Donnington complex operates today against a very different backdrop. Which means that the announcement that Donnington is in line to become the site of the Ministry of Defence's new logistics hub is perhaps the most significant event since the depot came to Donnington in the first place over 70 years ago.
What is planned is truly huge. The base is bursting out of its traditional footprint with a vast expanse of hi-tech warehousing which will be built close by. It is claimed that 700 jobs could be created, and up to 1,000 local jobs safeguarded. The deal could be worth £60 million a year to the Shropshire economy.
Those are the figures that are being bandied about. What is clear though is that if the project does indeed come to pass – there are still some hurdles to clear – it will secure the future of Donnington as a major centre of military and civilian operations in support of our fighting forces for at least another generation, and perhaps for several generations.
This is the sort of security which is rare in the defence sector these days.
All those who have worked so hard to win this battle in Telford's favour deserve praise for a job well done and a great result. For the staff, this decision is a reward for their loyalty, efficiency, and competence down the years. They are the "back room" people who do not often appear in the spotlight but just go about their business quietly. Our fighting men and women in far flung parts of the world rely on them.
While the announcement is excellent news, for the moment it would be prudent not to go overboard on the celebrations. Shropshire does not want to tempt fate.
But when the contract is signed, which is expected to be in April, it will be time to break out the bubbly.
