A MUCH-LOVED outdoor education centre near Helensburgh could yet be saved from closure, a Green MSP has insisted this week.

More than 40 jobs are believed to be under threat at the Blairvadach facility in Shandon after councillors voted through a programme of budget cuts.

The move was backed by SNP and Green members of Glasgow City Council, which owns the facility, at a meeting last week.

The closure of the centre, which has provided outdoor education opportunities for generations of children since it opened in 1974, has been widely condemned – and has prompted thousands of people to sign online petitions calling for it to be kept open.

The move was also criticised by the Helensburgh and Lomond area’s MSP, Labour’s Jackie Baillie, and by Conservative West of Scotland MSP and Helensburgh resident Maurice Corry – though it has since emerged that Conservative councillors in the city also included the closure of the centre in their alternative budget proposals.

READ MORE: Helensburgh's MSP slams "short-sighted" Blairvadach closure plans

Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer, who also represents the West of Scotland region, said this week he still hoped further talks could result in the centre being saved.

Glasgow’s spending plans – like those of councils across the country – have been shaped by the Scottish Government’s own budget proposals, which are expected to be voted through at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday after Green MSPs agreed to support the SNP's spending plans.

Wednesday's agreement at Holyrood included more money for local government, as well as additional funds for the police and for 'low carbon' projects, and a scheme to introduce free bus travel for under-19s.

Mr Greer said: “Centres like Blairvadach do a fantastic job of giving young people, often from areas of high deprivation, an outdoor experience they wouldn’t get otherwise.

“Just last year, Green councillors proposed £1 million of investment in the centre, which the SNP administration in Glasgow rejected.

“I know that Green councillors will fight to save it in the coming weeks when the financial situation changes.

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“The city budget agreed last week was a worst-case scenario, agreed before the council knew what it would be given by the Scottish Government, who are in turn trying to set a national budget without knowing their own settlement, due to the contemptuous way in which the Westminster government has delayed the whole process.

“Green MSPs have been working hard to negotiate a better deal from the SNP government, which I hope will allow Blairvadach to stay open.

“We would appreciate if Labour and Conservative MSPs helped us in these negotiations, rather than sniping from the sidelines whilst offering no serious proposals of their own.”

Ms Baillie said: “Glasgow City Council was presented with an alternative budget by Labour which would have saved the centre, but sadly the SNP and the Greens voted to cut this much loved service, making 44 staff redundant.

“I will be seeking an urgent meeting with Susan Aitken, leader of the council, to ask her to reverse the decision.”

Mr Corry added: “I will be campaigning to find a future for Blairvadach, to maintain these opportunities to our young and support the local jobs that it provides.”

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