MAJOR merger plans involving two colleges have been shelved in the face of the continuing recession and looming general election.

Last year, Bromley College of Further and Higher Education and Orpington College of Further Education announced they would be merging to form a £50m “super college” catering for up to 12,000 students.

However, the plans have now been scrapped after it was deemed the merger would be too risky.

A joint statement from governors at both colleges says: “Although a merger of Orpington and Bromley colleges would offer increased opportunities for students and employers and would benefit both colleges, the current political and financial uncertainties pose too great a risk to proceed.”

Bromley College has three campuses in Bromley, Penge and Beckenham, and the Orpington campus is based in the town’s high street.

In January 2008, Orpington College principal Simon Norton said: "The merging of the two colleges will create a super college for the benefit of everyone in the borough and surrounding areas."

News Shopper: Orpington College principal Simon Norton Now Mr Norton admits delays pushing the plans through government and a lack of funding have put an end to the merger.

He said: “Originally the government said it was going to put up some of the money but has since made it absolutely clear it will not be putting any more money into college mergers.”

The new alliance should have taken effect in August this year but the recession, impending general election, and the dissolution of the Learning and Skills Council, meant the colleges were forced to take another look at their plans in the latter part of this year.

A Bromley College spokesman added: “If the conditions were right, both colleges would not rule out a merger in the future.

“We have worked very hard to put this merger in place but we did not feel it was right to go ahead.”