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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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New search and rescue contract must guarantee improvement in services
February 11, 2010 12:00 AM
Commenting on the Government's announcement of a major shake-up of the UK's search and rescue helicopter service, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black said:
"The Bristol Channel, Gower, and the shoreline around Porthcawl and Ogmore by Sea are amongst the busiest in the UK. This can sometimes mean that people get into trouble and need helicopter rescue.
"That is why it is essential that this contract- which is to run for 25 years- is better negotiated and has fewer loopholes than the interim contract we have had for the last few years.
"The new contract must protect against situations like the one which arose in Scotland back in 2008, where the reserve helicopter based at Sumburgh was taken off station for a whole week. Despite the fact that this left the north of Scotland without local cover in the winter months, the Department for Transport and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency were powerless to do anything about it.
"We also need to see the new service rooted properly in the communities which it serves. It is not good enough to see a constant stream of temporary pilots and support officers being shipped in and out again."
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