Wales coastguard station campaigners hope for reprieve
Coastguard centres in Wales saved but Swansea closes
(about 6 hours later)
Opponents of plans to close Milford Haven and Holyhead coastguard stations are awaiting an expected announcement on their future on Thursday.
Two Welsh coastguard centres which were threatened with closure have won a reprieve.
The UK government could close more than half of coastguard centres, and cut 24-hour rescue stations from 18 to three.
Milford Haven and Holyhead stations will stay open but Swansea, which was to be downgraded under the plans, is now to close by 2015.
Milford Haven and Holyhead could close and Swansea would operate in daylight hours, but some reports have claimed 11 stations will stay open.
Elven centres across the UK will now remain open, all operating around the UK.
The government claims the modernisation will make the service stronger.
The Welsh Goverment said UK ministers would have to "account for any consequences" for sea safety.
An announcement about the future of the coastguard stations is expected in the Commons on Thursday afternoon.
Shadow Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said the UK government should "U-turn" on its Swansea decision as it had done on the one for Holyhead and Milford Haven.
'Rumours and conjecture'
Campaigns to save Milford Haven and Holyhead stations saw a 20,000 name petition go to Downing Street.
Reports on Sunday suggested that 11, not eight, of the 19 coastguard stations would now stay open.
The two reprieved stations were to shut, with Swansea reduced to operating only during daylight hours.
However, the PCS union said they did not know what would happen.
But the strong local protests sparked a re-think by the UK government.
Holyhead branch secretary Ray Carson said: "There are all sorts of rumours and conjecture at the moment, but until the announcement is made we don't know what will happen.
'Bittersweet'
"The Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Mirror said there were plans to keep 11 of the stations open, but that means 42% of the stations will close."
Swansea, which has 28 personnel, is now one of eight coastguard stations which will undergo phased closures between 2012 and 2015.
Dennis O'Connor, spokesperson for Save the Milford Haven coastguard, said: "In Pembrokeshire, we're run a very high-profile campaign to highlight our concerns and encourage the population of west Wales to also voice their concerns.
The details were revealed in a Commons statement by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, who said that Holyhead was being favoured instead of the MCA base at Liverpool following representations over Welsh language concerns.
"It culminated in a 20,000 signature being handed into Downing Street a fortnight ago.
He said Swansea was being closed in favour of Milford Haven due to the higher level of government employment in the city.
Last week, campaigners fighting plans to close Milford Haven and Holyhead coastguard stations called for immediate independent risk assessments.
Plaid Cymru MP for Carmarthen West and Dinefwr Jonathan Edwards described the announcement as "bittersweet".
Save Milford Haven Campaign Group said it was concerned for tourists' safety. It handed in a petition on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.
'Strategically important'
It is calling for risk and impact assessments on the safety of tourists visiting in light of the proposals.
He said: "Milford Haven and Holyhead have fought fierce battles to be kept open and we welcome the announcement that they will remain fully operational.
'No evidence'
"But there are now huge questions as to why exactly Swansea is to be closed? I will be asking what representations were made by ministers from the new Welsh government on this?"
The proposals have led to protests at both Milford Haven and Holyhead and a 20,000-name petition was handed in to Downing Street earlier this month.
Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb said: "This is fantastic news and exactly what we have been working for.
"It's (closing the station) going to leave a very wide gap that's going to be impossible to fill," added Mr O'Connor.
"The minister always said this would be a genuine consultation and that he would modify the proposals if necessary. He has done just that."
"There is absolutely no evidence to suggest rescue coordination could be carried out from the north of Scotland or from the south coast of England.
A Welsh Government spokesman said: "We will be seeking urgent assurances from the UK government that they have considered all the potential risks of closing such a strategically important station.
"Therefore, it will put people's lives in danger because it will slow response times.
"The UK government will need to account for any consequences this decision may have on the safety of shipping and other people using the coastline."
"The government have to listen to this. The Maritime and Coastguard agency also have to listen to it.
"They have to be realistic about what their capabilities are and what the expectations are for the safety of coastal users."
Swansea West MP Geraint Davies warned any closures or downgrading would increase tsafety risks.
"There's a great deal of trepidation about the loss of Swansea," he said. "We're very concerned for local jobs but alos local safety.
"The overall cost-saving from this is very small considering the potential risk.
"Having a coastguard facility that is miles away that doesn't have any idea of the local geography does make it difficult and not having coverage in the evening makes it difficult.
"We can't afford to be taking these sort of risks. They are very big risks."
A Department for Transport spokesperson said last week: "The proposals put forward are in response to a need to bring the way coastguard rescues are co-ordinated into the 21st Century, making the service stronger, more resilient and improving its services at the front line."
