THE Scottish Government can’t step in and save the St Rollox Caley rail works, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

The First Minister was challenged by Labour Leader, Richard Leonard, to take over the yard and the workforce as a “for sale” sign went up on the Springburn depot and workers due to receive redundancy notices.

Mr Leonard backed the Unite union campaign to nationalise the depot.

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He said: “The site’s turnover is up. The workers’ skills are indispensable. The works are a cornerstone of Scotland’s engineering base and a national asset.

“Will the First Minister therefore act in the national interest? Will she instruct the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity to purchase the site and save these jobs before it is too late?”

However Ms Sturgeon said the government has a track record in “stepping in” and saving sites and jobs “where we can”.

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But she added: “If we are unable to do that in these or other circumstances, perhaps Richard Leonard might conclude that there might be a good reason why that is the case, given the Government’s overall responsibilities to the taxpayer.”

Government sources said that state aid rules meant it is not possible to take over the site and that the government is not in control of train maintenance contracts so can’t direct work into the depot.

Paul Sweeney Glasgow North East Labour MP also called for a takeover.

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He said: “This doesn't need to be the end for 160 years of railway engineering, if the Scottish Government would show leadership and renationalise it.”

Maryhill and Springburn SNP MSP Bob Doris, has written to the Transport Secretary, Michael Matheson, seeking clarification on whether the government had received an offer to take over the site with a £1m inducement from owners Gemini Rail and assurances that efforts were being made to secure the future of the site.