THE axing of the all-weather lifeboat at New Quay was on the agenda when Ceredigion MP Ben Lake met with a Government Minster in parliament this week.

Mr Lake had talks with Welsh Office Minister Nigel Adams MP after raising his concerns during questions in the House of Commons.

Mr Lake said: “The Minister acknowledged that there was a great deal of local concern and that the Ceredigion Lifeboat Campaign-Save New Quay Lifeboat petition had attracted thousands of signatures.

“After discussing the matter further, it was agreed that we would raise the matter with the Maritime Minister to ensure that the Government has fully considered the impact of the decision and any implications on public services, including local Coastguard services.”

The RNLI is proposing to replace the all-weather lifeboat at New Quay with an Atlantic–class inshore boat in 2020 following a coastal review of all its services.

Campaigners opposed to the move argue this would leave a potentially life-threatening 70-mile gap along the Ceredigion coast in all-weather lifeboat provision.