Coastguard closure plan is all at sea

CONTROVERSIAL plans to close more than half the coastguard stations around Britain and cut the opening hours of those that remain are to be abandoned due to concerns that the cuts would put lives at risk, it was reported today.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has decided to redesign the planned overhaul after an outcry from coastal communities and widespread opposition from Conservative MPs.

The plans to modernise coastguard services involved reducing the number of coastguard bases from 18 to eight across the country, including the closure of Fife Ness, which covers the Firth of Forth.