THE plan to merge Orpington and Bromley colleges is back on the cards a year after it was deemed too risky.

A proposal to form a £50m “super college” catering for up to 12,000 students was shelved last November because of the then political and financial uncertainties.

But Bromley College of Further and Higher Education and the Orpington College Corporation have decided to start working towards the merger again.

Talks between the two colleges build upon work carried out during 2008 and 2009.

Since then both institutions have completed their rebuilding programmes and developed closer working practices.

If the merger goes ahead the college will keep the Bromley College of Further & Higher Education name and it is likely both Orpington and Bromley will be retained as campus names within the combined college’s estate.

Bromley College principal Sam Parrett said: “The previous work had shown a widespread support and an underlying strategic case for merging the two colleges.  “We believe that the merger will bring significant long-term benefits for the communities of students and employers our two colleges serve.

“We will continue to provide the best possible range of courses whether you’re a school leaver, an apprentice, someone returning to education as a mature student or perhaps wanting to gain a university-level or professional qualification.”

Simon Norton, principal of Orpington College, agrees: “This will be a genuine merger, drawing on the acknowledged strengths of both colleges.  “Merging in this way will enable us to maximise the range and quality of courses we offer to students and employers.”