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-wales-15842779
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| UK government confirms Swansea coastguard closure | UK government confirms Swansea coastguard closure |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| The UK government has confirmed the closure of Swansea coastguard station. | The UK government has confirmed the closure of Swansea coastguard station. |
| Transport Minister Mike Penning said the station at Mumbles, which employs 28, would close by March 2015. | Transport Minister Mike Penning said the station at Mumbles, which employs 28, would close by March 2015. |
| Stations at Holyhead and Milford Haven, originally earmarked for closure, have been granted a reprieve. | Stations at Holyhead and Milford Haven, originally earmarked for closure, have been granted a reprieve. |
| First Minister Carwyn Jones said he was "dismayed" by a decision which would potentially put lives at risk, while campaigners said they would seek advice about a judicial review. | |
| They said the closure will put lives at risk off the Swansea and Gower coastlines and in the Bristol Channel. | They said the closure will put lives at risk off the Swansea and Gower coastlines and in the Bristol Channel. |
| "We are extremely disappointed and we intend, if at all possible continuing with the campaign," said Tony Colbourn, chairman of the "Save Swansea Coastguard" campaign which collected 110,000 signatures. | "We are extremely disappointed and we intend, if at all possible continuing with the campaign," said Tony Colbourn, chairman of the "Save Swansea Coastguard" campaign which collected 110,000 signatures. |
| 'Ridiculous' | 'Ridiculous' |
| "It has been suggested that we might apply for a judicial review, and in fact we've put in hand already legal advice as to whether we can pursue that avenue or not. | "It has been suggested that we might apply for a judicial review, and in fact we've put in hand already legal advice as to whether we can pursue that avenue or not. |
| "Time is on our side but we are extremely concerned on the safety aspect - this campaign was entirely based on the question of safety." | "Time is on our side but we are extremely concerned on the safety aspect - this campaign was entirely based on the question of safety." |
| Mr Penning told MPs one reason Swansea was closing was because the Department for Transport already employs large numbers at the DVLA in the city. | Mr Penning told MPs one reason Swansea was closing was because the Department for Transport already employs large numbers at the DVLA in the city. |
| But Mr Colbourn rejected this. He said: "That's a ridiculous argument. | But Mr Colbourn rejected this. He said: "That's a ridiculous argument. |
| "We are talking about safety. The station in Swansea was never intended to to be an exercise to employ people in the public sector." | "We are talking about safety. The station in Swansea was never intended to to be an exercise to employ people in the public sector." |
| First Minister Carwyn Jones added he was dismayed the UK government has ignored a major campaign against the proposed changes which "will put pressure on emergency services and potentially put lives at risk". | First Minister Carwyn Jones added he was dismayed the UK government has ignored a major campaign against the proposed changes which "will put pressure on emergency services and potentially put lives at risk". |
| "One of the UK government's rationale for closing the Swansea coastguard station - Wales' busiest and the third busiest in the UK - is that the Department of Transport already employ large numbers of people in the city at the DVLA. This is unacceptable," said Mr Jones. | "One of the UK government's rationale for closing the Swansea coastguard station - Wales' busiest and the third busiest in the UK - is that the Department of Transport already employ large numbers of people in the city at the DVLA. This is unacceptable," said Mr Jones. |
| "DVLA staff are a completely separate issue and have no influence on safeguarding our coastline. | "DVLA staff are a completely separate issue and have no influence on safeguarding our coastline. |
| "It is clear the UK government has paid no regard to the safety of the many thousands of people who visit and use our coastline for business and pleasure." | "It is clear the UK government has paid no regard to the safety of the many thousands of people who visit and use our coastline for business and pleasure." |
| Swansea East MP Sian James said: "This has clearly been an exercise that puts a need to balance the books before maritime safety | Swansea East MP Sian James said: "This has clearly been an exercise that puts a need to balance the books before maritime safety |
| 'Future tragedy' | 'Future tragedy' |
| "Compelling arguments by campaigners on operational necessities have been ignored. | "Compelling arguments by campaigners on operational necessities have been ignored. |
| "I hope and pray that the price to paid for this decision is not a future tragedy". | "I hope and pray that the price to paid for this decision is not a future tragedy". |
| Wales Office Minister David Jones acknowledged the disappointment for Swansea but welcomed the reprieves for the stations at Holyhead and Milford Haven. | Wales Office Minister David Jones acknowledged the disappointment for Swansea but welcomed the reprieves for the stations at Holyhead and Milford Haven. |
| "I am pleased to see Milford Haven and Holyhead stations are to become part of a new nationally networked coastguard system," he said. | "I am pleased to see Milford Haven and Holyhead stations are to become part of a new nationally networked coastguard system," he said. |
| "This is part of proposals to re-structure the UK's existing coastline services. | "This is part of proposals to re-structure the UK's existing coastline services. |
| "I understand the disappointment concerning the future of Swansea coastguard station, however, overall Wales retains two out of three of its coastguard stations, up from one under the previous administration's plans." | "I understand the disappointment concerning the future of Swansea coastguard station, however, overall Wales retains two out of three of its coastguard stations, up from one under the previous administration's plans." |
| In August, about 200 people, including sailors, fishermen, surfers and beachgoers, took part in a "floating protest" against the government's plans, near the Swansea station in Mumbles. | In August, about 200 people, including sailors, fishermen, surfers and beachgoers, took part in a "floating protest" against the government's plans, near the Swansea station in Mumbles. |
| Under the plans, the coastguard centres at Forth, Clyde, Great Yarmouth, Liverpool, Thames, Swansea, Brixham and Portland will close progressively by 31 March, 2015. | Under the plans, the coastguard centres at Forth, Clyde, Great Yarmouth, Liverpool, Thames, Swansea, Brixham and Portland will close progressively by 31 March, 2015. |
| Mr Penning told MPs: "I understand, of course, that the closure of some existing co-ordination centres and the loss of some coastguard jobs will come as a disappointment to those directly affected. | Mr Penning told MPs: "I understand, of course, that the closure of some existing co-ordination centres and the loss of some coastguard jobs will come as a disappointment to those directly affected. |
| "However, the decisions I have announced today will deliver the modernised, nationally networked, fully resilient coastguard service we require for the future while reducing costs." | "However, the decisions I have announced today will deliver the modernised, nationally networked, fully resilient coastguard service we require for the future while reducing costs." |