Vauxhall will cut almost 250 jobs at it Ellesmere Port plant next year, as it targets further cost reductions.

On Friday, the company announced that it has entered into a 45-day consultation period with Trade Union and employee representatives to propose a restructuring of the Ellesmere Port Manufacturing Plant - where it builds the Astra.

The 2019 plan encompasses site compression, implementation of new technologies and other transformation activities which will impact on headcount requirements.  Vauxhall says this restructuring requires a planned phased reduction in headcount by 241 during 2019. 

At the beginning of this year, the car manufacturer announced 250 job cuts at the plant, following an initial 400 in October 2017.

All 1,100 union workers went on strike, following the announcement. 

Vauxhall said the restructuring is “critical to ensure that the Ellesmere Port plant develops its competitiveness during this difficult time within the industry”.  

The Company confirmed that it remains committed to achieve this “essential restructuring” without having to utilise Compulsory Redundancies.

Additionally, it outlined the possibility for employees to transfer their employment to its Manufacturing Plant in Luton. In such cases the Company would provide relocation support to employees.