A CAMPAIGNER fighting to keep the college nursery in Greenock open has accused management and the Scottish Government of 'dismantling' the campus.

Councillor Colin Jackson, who recently joined a protest organised by trade unions to fight against the closure, says the college has suffered ever since it merged with further education institutions in Paisley and Clydebank and that all politicians must now act before it is too late.

Along with parents, staff and union leaders, he is warning of the damaging impact the decision will have.

Councillor Jackson said: "We have had a timely and welcome intervention from the trade unions who are rightly asking the college to reverse their decision and calling on local politicians to 'step up'.

"College bosses and the Scottish Government have slowly and steadily dismantled this once proud local institution and have been allowed to do so.

"For too long there has been a deafening silence from many senior local politicians who have stood by and watched college bosses and the Scottish Government systematically dismantle the local college campus."

At the recent protest outside the nursery Cllr Jackson was joined by fellow elected members Tommy McVey, Ronnie Ahlfeld and Lynne Quinn but he wants other local politicians to join the fight.

Mr Jackson says services provided by the college are being steadily eroded.

He told the Telegraph: "Within a matter of months we have had announcements that the nursery would close and catering services are to be cut with resulting job losses, followed by the latest uncertainty over promised plans for a new campus.

"This has been allowed to happen because there has been no political will to defend students or staff alike.

"Once again the trade unions are taking on the fight where senior politicians have failed to engage.

"I want to offer my support and solidarity with staff and parents affected by these closures.

"The Scottish Government should be properly funding the college sector, not overseeing and signing off on jobs cuts and services.

There is a significant level of support within our community for the nursery and the James Watt College as a whole.

"The management team need to listen to what the people of Inverclyde are saying and stop the continual downgrading of our college."

A West College Scotland spokesperson said: “Our college is, and will always be, fully committed to providing the best in education and training to the people of Inverclyde.

“Funding is always tight and is set to get tighter, but we continue to invest in maintaining our Finnart Street and Waterfront campuses to the highest standards to ensure our students have the best possible learning environments.”

The Tele contacted the Scottish Government for a response, but no comment was available as the Tele went to press.