WE will probably never know the full case that led to the BBC’s recent declaration that it will not renew the contract with the Meteorologist Office in 2016 because of the “the legal requirement to go through an open tender process” (“'Own goal by Tories’ as BBC axes Met”, The Herald, August 25). The announcement went on to say that it will “take forward the strongest bids to make sure we secure both the best possible service and value for money for the licence fee payer”. Presumably the Met Office can still bid then, or has it already been ruled out?
The UK occupies a wide mid-latitude front of some 790 statute miles from St Helier in the Channel Islands in the south to Muckle Flugga in the Shetland Islands in the north. Our unique temperate climate is determined by prevailing and seasonal pressure systems, lower and upper winds, global climate change and a wide diversity of topography. Accepting the open market-led economy in which we operate, who are the competing bidders, and importantly what historic, actual and forecasting weather data resources will they offer that will equal or better that of the Met Office?
Much of my working career was spent in military aviation operating in UK airspace and in the Atlantic area at low and high levels, day and night, and in all weathers. Weather was a vital factor of flight planning and service delivery whether operational, search and rescue or medical evacuation. People’s lives were ever at risk, and not simply a risk assessment.
I urge the BBC to consider the matter most carefully and recognise that best-value doesn’t simply become a cheaper option.
Chris Denny,
2 Brora Drive, Bearsden.
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