Fulwood barracks: Preston MP's shock at '˜badly handled' closure

Preston's MP has tonight slammed the decision to close Fulwood barracks.
Mark HendrickMark Hendrick
Mark Hendrick

Preston MP Mark Hendrick said the move, announced by the Ministry of Defence at around 6pm tonight had been ‘badly handled’ and had come as a ‘shock’.

The historic barracks, has been the literal and spiritual home of The Queen’s Lancashire Regiment for nearly 150 years and now houses four Infantry battalions: The 2nd and 4th Battalions of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and the 2nd and 4th Battalions of The Mercias.

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The Grade-II listed building is one of more than 50 MoD sites earmarked for closure in the next five years and official documents say it will be ‘disposed of’ by 2022.

Mr Hendrick said: “The barracks have been an important part of Preston for many, many years and as someone who lives just a few hundred yards away from the barracks I am shocked. Over the years I have been an MP I have had very close contact with the soldiers who work there and they are valued members of the community.

“I would have thought they would have spoken to local MPs before this decision was made.

“It seems to me that this has been badly handled and I will be speaking with the relevant minister to find out how this decision was made and how it will be handled from here.

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“I cannot believe that after so many years of commitment that our army personnel have given, and the number of soldiers that have come from the Preston area, that there will no longer be a barracks here.”