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Stornoway and Shetland coastguard stations retained Stornoway and Shetland coastguard stations retained
(about 1 hour later)
Coastguard stations in Shetland and Stornoway have escaped closure as part of an overhaul of the service.Coastguard stations in Shetland and Stornoway have escaped closure as part of an overhaul of the service.
But the UK government has announced that it plans to go ahead with the closure of the Forth and Clyde bases.But the UK government has announced that it plans to go ahead with the closure of the Forth and Clyde bases.
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.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.
All three stations will now remain open round-the-clock.All three stations will now remain open round-the-clock.
However, the Forth and Clyde bases are now set to close at some point between 2012 and 2015. The Forth and Clyde bases are now set to close at some point between 2012 and 2015.
The original proposals were part of a radical plan to cut half of the 18 coastguard stations across the UK. The UK government said 31 jobs would be lost at the Clyde coastguard station.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond told the House of Commons that the proposals would both modernise the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and achieve efficiencies. Labour and the SNP have criticised the shutting of the two stations, while a separate campaign to prevent the withdrawal of coastguard tugs will continue.
He said 1,800 responses were received during public consultation on the original proposals. Transport Secretary Philip Hammond told the House of Commons that the new 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 to cut half of the 18 coastguard stations across the UK.
The new plans will also be put out to consultation, with 6 October set as the deadline for views.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.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.
Western Isles SNP MSP Alasdair Allan described the announcement as a "huge victory" for campaigners. In parliament, Labour MP Iain McKenzie said the west coast of Scotland had experienced an increase in shipping.
He asked Mr Hammond if he thought closing Clyde would compromise safety.
The transport secretary denied that it would.
Western Isles SNP MSP Alasdair Allan described the announcement on Stornoway 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.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.""The Maritime and Coastguard Agency simply got it wrong in their proposals and have abandoned their ill-thought out plans."
Western Isles SNP MP Angus McNeil added: "The decision to continue with closure of the Forth and Clyde stations is a real blow for the communities concerned."
'Have listened''Have listened'
Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil added: "The decision to continue with closure of the Forth and Clyde stations is a real blow for the communities concerned, and will test those serious safety concerns that have been raised over recent months." The Scottish Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have welcomed the changes to the plans.
Orkney and Shetland Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael also welcomed the announcement. Orkney and Shetland Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael 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.
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.""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.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.""I took that message to the heart of government. Ministers have listened, responded and delivered. I am delighted."