MP says end of Boulmer’s rescue service ‘premature’
SIR Alan Beith is to challenge the transport secretary for what he sees is the ‘premature’ decision to end search and rescue services from RAF Boulmer in 2015.
On Monday, Justine Greening MP announced that a new contract for the civilian provision of UK-wide search and rescue services will be advertised, with the associated loss of such services from RAF Boulmer and MCA Portland.
Responding to the announcement, Sir Alan said: “Although the majority of RAF Boulmer’s work is not affected, it is search and rescue that the public knows best and have every reason to appreciate, and it will be a sad day when that service moves elsewhere.
“After the previous Government’s disastrous experience of trying to civilianise the service, there remain serious questions about whether a new contractor will be ready to take over and provide full cover for our area by 2015 and I will be pursuing these questions in Parliament.”
He added: “At this stage it seems premature to talk about withdrawing from RAF Boulmer when we have no idea about who a future contractor will be of where they will want to base the service for this area.”
The yellow Sea King helicopter based at Boulmer provides search and rescue services for vast sections of the North Sea as well as the north east and Lake District.
However the fleet of helicopters used across the UK for search and rescue operations are nearing the end of their working life and need replacing.
In Justine Greening’s written statement to the House of Commons she said: “The introduction of a modern fleet of fast, reliable helicopters will lead to major improvements in the capability available from the present mix of helicopters.
“Modern helicopters operating from 10 full-time bases can not only continue to meet all current service requirements but also provide faster flying times to a large part of the UK search and rescue region, as well as providing a more reliable service. This will therefore be reflected in the new contract.
“It is my intention that search and rescue operations will cease at RAF Boulmer in 2015 and at MCA Portland when the interim arrangements that were announced in July expire. Other operations at RAF Boulmer will be unaffected by this.”
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Weather for Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Thursday 24 May 2012
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