PLANS to close a South Ayrshire coastguard station will put the public's lives at risk, a councillor has warned.

A motion to be put before a South Ayrshire Council meeting this week condemns the potential closure of the station at Ballantrae - as well as a similar facility on the Galloway coast at Portpatrick - as a "needless cost saving" exercise.

Councillor Peter Henderson, who is standing down for health reasons at the end of this week after representing the Girvan and South Carrick ward for the last six years, will ask fellow councillors to endorse his fears at the authority's last full meeting before the summer recess.

In his motion, Cllr Henderson says: "The Coastguard station in Ballantrae covers the area from Girvan to Stranraer and is equipped with rescue equipment and full time trained and auxiliary staff.

They have a vehicle and equipment to rescue anyone in difficulty on the coast and also assist the RNLI in rescue operations.

"It is proposed to remove the vehicle and equipment and trained personnel from this station. The area is remote coastline, and the only maritime rescue capability will be via Lifeboat from Stranraer or Girvan.

"The expected effect will be a loss of employment and skills from our coast, the potential greater endangering of lives - and with the growing tourist trade in Active travel, walking and sea activities in this area, a slower response and therefore greater risk to members of the public if any accidents occur.

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"It is worth noting that a lifeboat is not equipped and carries no cliff rescue equipment, and it is our view that the time taken for personnel to travel to this area from Girvan or Stranraer could be the difference between a successful rescue or death.

"The Ballantrae coastguard have a long history and record of life saving and rescues which will be lost to the community and visitors.

"It is most concerning that in addition it is understood the nearest Manned Coast Guard station will be Belfast.

"The proposal by HM Coastguard is, in our view, ill thought out and a needless cost saving that is opposed by the local community and visiting public, will cut job opportunities and places the area at increased risk from accidents etc."

Councillor Henderson's motion - which has been seconded by independent Prestwick councillor Hugh Hunter - asks the authority's chief executive, Eileen Howat, to write to Baroness Virginia McVea, CEO of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, outlining his and his colleagues' concerns.

The motion will be considered at the council's full meeting on Thursday, June 29.