Milford Haven and Holyhead stations coastguard centres which were threatened with closure have won a reprieve, but Swansea, which was to be downgraded under the original plans, is now to close by 2015. The two reprieved stations were to shut, with Swansea reduced to operating only during daylight hours. But the strong local protests, including lobbying the chief executive of the coastguard service when he visited Milford Haven in February, sparked the policy change.

The Welsh Government said UK ministers would have to “account for any consequences” for sea safety.

Shadow Welsh Secretary Peter Hain said the UK government should perform a “U-turn” on its Swansea decision as it had done on the one for Holyhead and Milford Haven. Campaigns to save Milford Haven and Holyhead stations saw a 20,000 name petition go to Downing Street.

Eleven centres will remain open across the UK.

Source: BBC News