Western Isles MSP welcomes Stornoway coastguard victory

Western Isles MSP, Alasdair Allan, has today welcomed news that the Stornoway Coastguard Station is to be maintained as a 24 hour coastguard station. Shetland Coastguard station has also been maintained on the same terms.

This follows plans from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency that would have seen one of the stations close and the remaining station reduced to daylight only hours.

These plans are subject to a further 12 week consultation from today.

Alasdair Allan commented:

“This is a huge victory for the many campaigners who have worked incredibly hard on behalf of these local coastguard stations, which have been saved today. But 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 (MCA) simply got it wrong in their proposals and have abandoned their ill-thought out plans.

“Coastguards in Stornoway”

“The great strength, I believe, about the campaign which has been mounted against these cuts is that it did not take the bait which was offered by the MCA in their proposals. The campaign did not accepted the premise that one coastguard station, such as in Stornoway or Shetland, should be pitted against another.

“I believe a case has been made based on solid arguments of public safety, and based on what I believe is the compelling idea that the coastguard service should be comprised of staff that have a local knowledge of their part of the country. I am pleased that the MCA have now recognised the argument that has been made to keep this local link between the coastguards and our coast.

“I also welcome the strong support which the Scottish Government gave to this campaign. I know the Coastguards in Stornoway will be relieved by today’s announcement.”

Hebrides Today brings you the latest news from the Western Isles