News that the UK’s closure-threatened coastguard stations, including Fife Ness, could be in line for an 11th hour reprieve has been hailed as a “victory for common sense.”
Not about u-turnTransport Secretary Philip Hammond indicated that he was prepared to “re-examine” the plansbut denied the government was being forced into a potentially embarrassing U-turn.
“We are looking again at the best configuration that will allow us to deliver those technological improvements, those working practice improvements, and we will announce our conclusions to Parliament before the summer recess,” he said.
“It is not about a U-turn, it is about deciding how best to implement what will be a very big change in how the coastguard operates.”
Fife Ness patrols 344 miles of rugged coastline, and staff have dealt with 1400 incidents over the last three years.
News that the planned overhaul of the service could be subject to an 11th hour redesign have been welcomed by North-East Fife MSP Rod Campbell.
“Reports that the UK Government is backing down over coastguard would be welcome if true,” he said. “These cuts were irresponsible from the start, ill-thought out and failed to even hold a proper risk assessment.
“It is scandalous that the UK Government tried to sneak out the consultation in the first place, especially as it emerged that the front- line staff, the experts, knew nothing until it was in the public domain.”
North-East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell was similarly encouraged by the latest developments.
“This consultation was controversial from the very beginning,” he said.
“The starting position was one of cost-cutting rather than public safety, and if the reports of a climb-down are to be believed then it represents a victory for common sense.
“I have voiced my concerns at numerous stages throughout this consultation and spoke in the House of Commons where the minister’s justification of his proposals found not one friend.
“There has been little recognition of coastguard local knowledge, the integrated relationship with the other emergency services and the increase in traffic around our coastline.”
Sir Menzies insisted the case for retention of Fife’s coastguard station is compelling.
“Forth Coastguard based at Fife Ness provides a vital round-the-clock service protecting our coastline to beyond Montrose,” he said.
“Not only is it the cheapest operation in the UK to run but the lifeboat stations within its area of responsibility were the busiest in Scotland last year.
“It must be retained.”
It is understood that ministers now agree that a “comprehensive rethink” of their original proposals is required.
Several more centres are likely to remain open as a result, although there remains uncertainty over which facilities will be axed.
Final details are set to be unveiled before the Westminster parliament’s summer recess.
Top officials at the Department for Transport refused to comment on speculation suggesting hugely contentious proposals to axe facilities had been abandoned.
However, The Courier understands a reprieve for at least some of the facilities that had faced closure is in the pipeline.
While it is unclear what the future holds for Fife Ness, the outlook is far brighter than it was just a few days ago.
The Westminster coalition government sparked anger when it outlined plans to cut the number of UK stations from 18 to eightleaving just one Scottish full-time base, at Aberdeen.
A second base, at Stornoway or Shetland, would be staffed in daylight hours. More than 200 jobsincluding 14 at Fife Nesswould be axed.
However, the plans sparked controversy as many experts warned that an inevitable loss of local knowledge would put lives at risk.
A consultation exercise into the government’s plans closed recently.
It is understood the opposition was enormous, leading to speculation the government was set to dramatically back-track on its plans.
A spokesman at the Department for Transport yesterday told The Courier the status quo was not an option.
However, he also hinted that the government’s proposals were not set in stone and other avenues may yet be explored.
“We will not comment on speculation about the outcome of our consultation,” he said.
“Our proposals are in response to a long-overdue need to bring the way coastguard rescues are co-ordinated into the 21st century, making this vital rescue service stronger, more resilient and improving its services at the front line.
“This need will not simply go away,” he said.
“However, this is a genuine consultation exercise and the government is committed to taking all points of view into account before deciding how best to proceed.”