Coastguard consultation extended

UK SHIPPING minister Mike Penning, who authorised the plans to close 10 of Britain’s 18 coastguard stations and reduce six to a daytime only service, will be in Shetland next week.

The announcement was made as the government announced they were extending the consultation on closing either Shetland or Stornoway coastguard coordinating station by six weeks.

The government confirmed on Thursday that Mr Penning would visit all three Scottish island groups over a two day period next Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the controversial plans to close the coastguard stations and remove the fleet of four ocean going rescue tugs.

Shetland Islands Council was told two weeks ago that the minister would be visiting in mid March, but the dates were only confirmed on Thursday.

The government had still to organise flights so the actual date of the visit remains unclear as of Thursday evening.

Whenever he arrives, Mr Penning will expect to come under considerable attack from campaigners in all three island groups where feelings are running high about the risks being created by the proposals.

On Wednesday prime minister David Cameron announced that he would personally step into the growing row, insisting that front line services would not be affected by the changes.

The Conservative leader may be sniffing an embarrassing climbdown after the unprecedented scale of resistance to the government’s plans nationwide.

Last month the House of Commons transport sub committee announced they would be holding an inquiry into all the MCA proposals, which include the station closures, the loss of the tugs and the removal of the offshore fire fighting service.

On Thursday the Maritime & Coastguard Agency confirmed that they were extending the consultation on the proposal to close either Lerwick or Stornoway coastguard co-ordinating stations for another six weeks.

The consultation had been due to end on 23 March, but will now continue until 5 May.

That decision was welcomed by northern isles MP Alistair Carmichael, who said it showed that it was a genuine consultation.

“It is only right that everyone with an interest in the future of the coastguard should have the chance to comment on the proposals that have been put forward and I am pleased that the consultation period has now been extended,” he said.
 
“I think everyone recognises that with something as vital as our emergency services, it is more important to get reforms right rather than implement them quickly. What this decision underlines is the fact that this is a genuine consultation and ministers are approaching the issue with an open mind.”

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