Rethink on coastguard cuts urged

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has written to the UK Transport Minister, Mike Penning, to set out his concerns about the plans which would mean the disappearance of three regional centres in Scotland, including the one serving the Firth of Forth. A coastguard station at Granton would close as part of the cuts.

In the letter Mr Lochhead said he was "astounded" at the scale of proposed cuts and argued the reductions would lead to safety being compromised, as local knowledge was lost and response times would increase.

He added: "We are increasing our use of the seas in many diverse ways, which must at least carry with it an increased potential for unforeseen incidents to occur. In such circumstances, how can your department justify the cutting back of an essential maritime emergency service, when so much of the wealth of our nation comes from our ability to exploit the natural resources of our seas?"