Prospective Cannock Chase MPs speak out in wake of campus closure plans

Conservative Amanda Milling and Labour's Paul Dadge, who are vying to win the Cannock Chase constituency on June 8, have both met with college representatives in the wake of last week's announcement.

The college has revealed it will close its Cannock campus and move the courses it offers, including music and hairdressing, to its other campuses in Staffordshire because of financial restraints.

The closure of the campus in July means Cannock Chase will be left without any further education facilities for the first time since the 1930s.

Tube bombing hero Mr Dadge said: "Obviously it is disappointing news that a college that has been part of Cannock for many years is now going to leave the town.

"It is incredibly disappointing for not only the students but for Cannock, the campus has become a focal point of the town centre and that is going to be lost.

"I met with the principal of the college briefly the other day to discuss the welfare of students and the provisions made for transporting current students to other campuses. I will meet with him again and will keep in regular contact in the coming weeks.

"One of our largest concerns, if not our main concern, is with regard to further education for students in the Cannock Chase area. Obviously bussing to somewhere like Tamworth for example is not ideal and I will be talking to education colleagues with regards to this in the next few weeks."

Conservative candidate Amanda Milling, who won the seat in 2015, added: "I am extremely disappointed that South Staffordshire College has announced it is closing the Cannock campus. Cannock Chase needs a local further education presence to ensure that younger generation can get a good education and the best start in life.

"The college has stated that they are trying to maintain a presence in Cannock town centre and they are looking to enter into a partnership with Cannock Chase District Council which will see provision remain in Cannock. I will support the college in any way I can to ensure that a financially viable solution can be found to ensure they remain in the centre of Cannock and I will be writing to the district council asking that they do the same.

"I am pleased that South Staffordshire College has assured me that it will be providing transport to the other campuses for existing students, and this summer’s new intake, for the remainder of their courses.

"I am aware that the site has some state of the art technology and digital infrastructure and we need to ensure that any plans for the site make the most of this.

"I have met with the college principal and raised a number of concerns including provision for existing students and will continue to push for an offer that meets the need of local students."