MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (014/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 31
January 2008
Defence Minister
Bob Ainsworth today announced the proposed move of Army units
currently based in Germany to Cosford.
Armed Forces Minister Mr Ainsworth said:
"I am delighted to announce that Cosford has been chosen as
our preferred site to base both 1 Signal Brigade (1 Sig Bde) and
102 Logistics Brigade (102 Log Bde) when they return from Germany.
"I am proud to re-affirm our commitment to the Cosford
community. The historic presence of Defence in the Cosford area
will continue to provide benefits to the local community and to
the West Midlands. Redevelopment at Cosford will involve the
creation of Civil Service jobs and further openings with local
contractors which we hope will provide great opportunities for the
people of Cosford.
"We will now draw up detailed plans and undertake wide
consultation with all of the Cosford's stakeholders including
local authorities, health, education and welfare providers as well
as the Trades Unions and our own Service personnel."
The move of the two brigades is expected to be completed by 2014
and will see approximately 2,600 troops and their families and
dependants move to Cosford. The presence of such a significant
number of troops may pave the way for a West Midlands 'Super
Garrison' in the future.
Under the BORONA Programme, around 3,600 British Forces will move
from Germany to the UK. Although the programme is subject to
financial approval, Defence Ministers have given provisional
approval for HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (HQ ARRC), 102 Log Bde
and 1 Sig Bde to move from Germany to the UK between 2009 and
2014. The site currently occupied by the RAF at Innsworth
(Gloucestershire) has been selected as the most suitable for HQ ARRC.
END
Notes to editors:
1. For more information on the BORONA Programme, please see http://www.mod.uk