Anglesey County Council Leader, Councillor Clive McGregor, has voiced grave concerns about the decision to close Holyhead Coastguard Station.
Shipping Minister Mike Penning has outlined proposals which would see the number of coastguard stations across the UK cut from 18 to just three.
This would lead to the closure of Holyhead Coastguard Station, which currently employs 23 staff, in 2013/14.
Councillor McGregor stressed, “The Isle of Anglesey’s economy is largely dependent on tourism, and our coastline and beaches are an extremely precious resource in terms of attracting families and visitors interested in leisure activities such as sailing and windsurfing.
“Ensuring that the Anglesey coast is kept safe is therefore paramount and the work currently undertaken by Holyhead Coastguard Station, together with colleagues in the RNLI and RAF Search and Rescue, is invaluable.”
He added, “I naturally have concerns about the possible loss of employment at Holyhead and believe that any decision to close Holyhead Coastguard Station would have grave safety implications for both the Anglesey coastline and further afield.”
It’s understood that the Government’s proposals would lead to the creation of three 24-hour operational centres at Aberdeen, the Southampton/Portsmouth area and Dover. With Milford Haven coastguard station also set to close, Wales would be left with just one base in Mumbles, near Swansea, which would only operate in daylight hours.
