New figures suggest Northampton rail depot jobs '˜would not be taken up by surrounding area'

Ashfield Land, the developer behind site, which aims to effectively remove thousands of goods vehicles from UK roads, has dangled the possibility of thousands of new jobs as a reason why Milton Malsor and Blisworth villagers should welcome it.

But the anti-depot group Stop Rail Central has highlighted new Government forecasts that show the working age population in South Northamptonshire will be the same until at least 2039.

The group said this, combined with some of the best employment figures in the country, show that the jobs will not be taken up by local people but by commuters from further away.

Mark Redding said: “These workers will travel to Rail Central from further afield, probably in cars.

“Where’s the sustainability in that?”

Stop Rail Central’s calculations suggest that the level of interest in Rail Central jobs from Northampton residents will, based on current logistics take-up, see only 1,500 people from the town wishing to work there, increasing the likelihood of large numbers of commuters still further.

Mr Redding said: “We can therefore conclude that the 8,000 jobs claimed by Ashfield Land will not be taken up by residents.”

Ashfield Land has been approached for a comment.