This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-scotland-14149527

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Re-think on coastguard centre cuts in northern Scotland Stornoway and Shetland coastguard stations retained
(about 7 hours later)
Coastguard stations in Shetland and Stornoway are set to escape closure under the latest coalition government moves to overhaul the service. Coastguard stations in Shetland and Stornoway have escaped closure as part of an overhaul of the service.
The radical plan had been to cut half of the 18 UK-wide stations. But the UK government has announced that it plans to go ahead with the closure of the Forth and Clyde bases.
In Scotland the proposal was to have one 24 hour centre in Aberdeen, and a second base, either Shetland or Stornoway, open during daylight hours. The original proposals would have retained one 24-hour station in Aberdeen and a second base in either Shetland or Stornoway - which would only be open during daylight hours.
But the government is now set to change course and keep Shetland and Stornoway open 24 hours. All three stations will now remain open round-the-clock.
UK government ministers had argued that the scaling back in the service was necessary in order to modernise it and make it more efficient. However, the Forth and Clyde bases are now set to close at some point between 2012 and 2015.
But unions, campaigners, and a cross party committee of MPs said the plans could put lives at risk. The proposals were part of a radical plan to cut half of the 18 coastguard stations across the UK.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond told the House of Commons that the proposals would both modernise the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and achieve efficiencies.
He said 1,800 responses were received during public consultation on the original proposals.
The new plans will also be put out to consultation, with 6 October set as the deadline for views.
Unions, campaigners, and a cross party committee of MPs said the original plans could put lives at risk.
Scottish Rural Affairs Minister Richard Lochhead said the original plan had been "reckless".Scottish Rural Affairs Minister Richard Lochhead said the original plan had been "reckless".
And a House of Commons transport committee report said safety would be jeopardised if the proposals went ahead.And a House of Commons transport committee report said safety would be jeopardised if the proposals went ahead.
The latest, and final, proposals will be announced at Westminster later. Western Isles SNP MSP Alasdair Allan described the announcement as a "huge victory" for campaigners.
He added: "Above all it is a victory for common sense and for those who recognise that safety at sea is much more important than financial savings.
"The Maritime and Coastguard Agency simply got it wrong in their proposals and have abandoned their ill-thought out plans."
Orkney and Shetland Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael also welcomed the announcement.
He said: "Everyone in government from the prime minister downwards made explicit from the very start of the consultation process that ministers would listen to the concerns that people had over the MCA's original proposals.
"The announcement today shows that this was no empty promise."
Mr Carmichael added: "People in Shetland had a very clear view that nothing less than 24-hour stations in Lerwick and Stornoway would be acceptable.
"I took that message to the heart of government. Ministers have listened, responded and delivered. I am delighted."