RAF Cosford personnel in laundry battle

Service personnel at Shropshire's RAF Cosford are facing a battle - to get their uniforms washed.

The on-site launderette at the base near Shifnal closed eight months ago and washing machines were installed in barrack blocks as alternatives for trainees. But it was claimed today that the machines have all broken over a period of time and have not been replaced.

Now it is believed there is not a single working washing machine on the site for the 180-plus trainees - with service personnel forced to travel into Telford to get uniforms and other laundry washed.

Chiefs at RAF Cosford today insisted it was just a temporary problem which should be sorted out by the end of next week.

But a source, who did not wish to be named, said: "The launderette has been closed for over eight months and washing machines have not been replaced or repaired if a machine has broken down.

"It was initially cited as a failure of a contract being in place, but service personnel have now been advised that they are expected to launder their clothes off base.

Galling

"This is particularly galling as the launderette in nearby Albrighton has also been closed leaving trainees to search for one in Telford.

"At one stage one washing machine was the only laundering device available to over 180 trainees. Now they have been left with nothing.

"Service men and women have been left seething at what is perceived as penny- pinching by the MoD, to-gether with receiving inferior treatment to the thousands of people within the UK's penal system. It's a real kick in the teeth to everyone who has committed their life to the service of their country."

Squadron Leader Graham Lee, spokesman for RAF Cosford, said: "We have a problem at present with the provision of laundry facilities in some of our barrack blocks. This stems from a combination of factors - contractual, budgetary and administrative. However, we anticipate ha- ving a solution to the problem by the end of next week."

By Wayne Beese