July 14th, 2011

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil, MSP has slammed the decision to close the Clyde coastguard.

The UK Government announced it was to close the Greenock-based service despite a strong case being made for it to be retained.

Mr McNeil has also written to the First Minister asking what representations he made on behalf of the Clyde Coastguard, especially as the Aberdeen, Lerwick and Stornoway bases have been retained.

He said: “Inverclyde and the west of Scotland have been let down by both the UK and Scottish Governments who have been playing politics with this from the start.

“This is a flawed decision based on political considerations and not the facts or the safety requirements.

“Greenock has the busiest coastguard centre in the country, which deals with MOD traffic, busy ferry routes, cargo traffic and an increasing number of cruise ships, and merits a 24-hour coastguard centre.

“It is a real concern that it hasn’t even been considered as a day centre and will be closed all together.

“The First Minister assured me that he would be trying to secure a ‘victory for Scotland’ on this issue. This is certainly not what has been achieved and I will be writing to him to determine exactly what representations he has made.”