Sunday, October 31, 2010

Protest at search and rescue cuts

RAF search and rescue helicopter

A protest is planned on the south Wales coast later over proposals to downgrade the search and rescue service at Chivenor in Devon.

Organisers are hoping for a big turnout at the demonstration at Rest Bay, Porthcawl at 1500 BST.

The Ministry of Defence [MoD] had planned to halve the 24-hour cover at Chivenor, but those proposals were suspended in the Spending Review.

The MoD has been asked to respond.

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Chivenor currently provides 24-hour search and rescue cover across south Wales, north Devon, Somerset, and the Bristol Channel.

But under changes put forward in March, night-time cover would be provided from RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall, or RAF Valley on Anglesey.

Sunday's protest, which is expected to bring together politicians, rescuers and civilians, has been organised by Porthcawl town councillor Sean Aspey.

Mr Aspey said: "People didn't realise that Chivenor covered so much of our coast. Some even thought RAF Brawdy was still open.

He said the protest campaign had spread to south Wales from Devon, where it was launched by the mayor of Ilfracombe.

'Fair share'

"We've taken it over because of the large centre of population on the Welsh side - about three million - who will be affected by the downgrading of Chivenor."

He said responses had come in from people in Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Caerphilly, Monmouth, Bridgend and Newport.

Among those expected at the protest are local MPs and AMs, as well as local mayors.

"Chivenor was involved in 280 rescues in south Wales last year. We have had more than our fair share in Porthcawl over the last year.

"2010 was busier, this station is the busiest in the UK, downgrading could essentially lead to its closure."

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-wales-11658591

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