THE coastguard to be closed by the UK Government is the busiest in Scotland, according to new figures seen by The Herald.
Information obtained by campaigners under the Freedom of Information Act (FoI) indicates that Clyde in Greenock deals with more than 30% of incidents in Scotland and is the fourth-busiest station in the UK. The campaigners say it saves “10 lives a day”.
Details also suggest ministers made the decision to close the base before going through the due consultation process.
Earlier this year it was announced the Clyde and Forth stations would be closed as part of an overhaul of the service.
The UK Government announced Shetland and Stornoway had escaped closure. The original plans would have retained one 24-hour station in Aberdeen and a second base in Shetland or Stornoway – open only during daylight hours.
Former transport secretary Philip Hammond told the House of Commons the new proposals would both modernise the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and achieve efficiencies.
However, thousands of people have signed a petition calling for the coastguard to be retained.
Unions, campaigners and a cross-party committee of MPs said the original plans could put lives at risk.
Stuart Atkinson from the Public and Commercial Services Union said: “From the FoI responses we’ve seen we understand the Government has not followed due process in the decision and consultation. They have known since 2009 this building was going to be closed.
“The figures show with great accuracy the huge numbers of incidents Clyde deals with. From the figures we know the station is saving 10 lives a day.
“Closure will put lives at risk. We have already lost more than eight members of staff and that means there will be times when some watches are below the recommended risk assessment levels.
“The new computerised system does not take into account specialist local knowledge. It is the same system used by the ambulance service, but if there is an accident on a motorway it will not move. The sea is not like that. You have to know all the tides.”
Labour MP Iain McKenzie said the west coast of Scotland had experienced an increase in activity. He said: “Safety wise, this decision just does not stack up at all. It is a tragedy waiting to happen. God forbid we would ever see a major incident here, but if we did then people in other stations would not have the in-depth local knowledge required.”
The second consultation closed last month.
A Department for Transport spokesman said: “We have been clear that modernisation is required to deliver a resilient coastguard service fit for the 21st century. This has been a genuine consultation that has seen a high level of engagement and many well-thought out responses – including specific alternative proposals.
“It is clear from the responses a clear consensus that change and modernisation is necessary, but also some specific concerns about the original proposals.
“Our updated proposals will ensure the safety of seafarers and coastal communities, delivering the modernised and more cost-effective service we need for the 21st century, while also responding to the concerns raised during the consultation process. We will respond to this second consultation by the end of the year.”
A spokesman for Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “These figures expose the folly of the UK Government’s short-sighted and dangerous drive to close Scottish coastguard stations, which provide a service that helps save lives on a daily basis. These closures are being driven by Tory and LibDem cuts – not by common sense. The UK Government makes many billions of pounds from oil resources in Scottish waters, but is not prepared to spare the few million pounds needed to make our seas safe.”
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