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REPRIEVE HOPE FOR CLYDE COASTGUARD STATION
- GOVT HINTS AT U-TURN ON COASTGUARD CLOSURES
- UNCLEAR WHICH STATIONS COULD BE SAVED
Hopes have surfaced of a reprieve for the closure threatened coastguard operations centre on the Clyde following indications from the UK Government that closure plans will be scaled back.
Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond told the media today (19 May) that he was "re-examining" plans to cut the number of coastguard stations across the UK from 18 to 5. Reports have suggested that the Government will abandon some of the closures, but have not indicated which.
The 24-hour Clyde Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Greenock- which co-ordinates rescue operations from the Mull of Galloway in the south west to Ardmamurchan Point in the north west, the Clyde and various islands- was among those stations initially identified for the axe. The plans would leave only one 24-hour control centre in Scotland, at Aberdeen.
Gemma Doyle- who has been campaigning in Parliament to save the Clyde coastguard station- has written to Mr Hammond to demand it is reprieved.
West Dunbartonshire MP Gemma Doyle said, "The Transport Secretary has given a strong hint that the Government will u-turn on the coastguard closure plan and reprieve some of the stations identified for the axe. That will raise hopes that there could be a future for the Clyde station.
"People in our area have real concerns that lives will be put at risk on the Clyde if this closure goes ahead. Local knowledge is crucial to maritime rescue, not just for the rescue teams but by the operations centre staff too. People are understandably worried that local knowledge and safety will be compromised if local coastguard operations are transferred to Aberdeen.
"The need to avoid another tragic accident like the sinking of the Flying Phantom at Clydebank three years ago, underlines the importance of having effective coastguard rescue services in our area.
"I am again calling on the Tory-led Government to ensure the Clyde station is saved, and that local maritime safety is not put at risk."