Fears that lives will be put at risk with helicopter cuts (From Milford Mercury)

Fears that lives will be put at risk with helicopter cuts

11:20am Thursday 3rd December 2009

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Campaigners are fighting plans to reduce search and rescue helicopter cover at RAF Chivenor.

Ministry of Defence proposals to cut cover at Chivenor in Devon from 24 hours to 12 hours, from 2012, have raised fears that lives could be put at risk.

MP Stephen Crabb said he was “deeply concerned”.

He said: “Since the closure of RAF Brawdy in 1992 Pembrokeshire has become reliant on the brilliant search and rescue capabilities of RMB Chivenor.

“As the recent rescue of local two divers off Strumble Head demonstrates, this service is a life-saving and timely resource to tourists, fishermen and local residents of the county.

“Everyone understands the need for restraint on public spending in the current climate but this absolutely must not be achieved by cutting life-saving services that are vital to Pembrokeshire.” AM Paul Davies also has grave concerns.

He said: “Pembrokeshire has already seen its Sea King coverage curtailed with the removal of the helicopters from RAF Brawdy.

“It’s especially worrying because we have two of Britain’s major ferry ports in our county.

“I dread to think how long it would take if it’s a night-time emergency and they’ve closed Chivenor.”

The MoD has defended the proposals, stating a new fleet of faster rescue helicopters will continue to provide effective coverage for all night-time incidents.

Future night time cover in Pembrokeshire and the west will be provided by RAF Valley, Anglesey or Culdrose in Cornwall, but objectors say the extra distance involved could put lives at risk.

Facebook group, Keep RAF Chivenor 24 hours, has attracted more than 6,400 members.

The group calls for the Government to drop the plans, and confirm the long term future of Chivenor as a fully operational search and rescue station.

North Devon MP Nick Harvey has also set up a petition against the proposal, which can be found at www.

nickharveymp.com/petition.

During Parliamentary questions, he asked the Secretary of State for Defence about the implications of the reductions.

Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell said: “The decision to deliver the future helicopter search and rescue service from nine full-time and three part-time bases continues to ensure our ability to reach all ‘very high’, ‘high’ and 75% of ‘medium’ risk areas within one hour of take- off.”

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