‘SAVE Portland coastguard station’ is the plea from MP Richard Drax as he reiterates calls for the government to reconsider “deeply inefficient” reforms.

The South Dorset MP has written to transport minister Mike Penning on controversial proposals to cut the number of rescue co-ordination centres around the country from 18 to eight.

The move would close Portland, which currently co-ordinates rescue operations along the Dorset coast, leaving 27 staff under threat.

Portland’s work would be taken up by an expanded Solent coastguard centre – one of two super centres which will operate 24-hours a day.

“Apart from the wreckage to people’s lives caused by this scheme, I am concerned that it will be deeply inefficient,” said Mr Drax.

“Under these plans, critical local knowledge will be lost.

“Just by way of example, how would someone 50 miles away know that the only access to a cliff top incident is via a sodden clay field which would bog down a Landrover? Those with local knowledge would immediately call in a helicopter.

“I fear that valuable time will be lost and minutes count, especially in diving accidents.”

In a nine-page letter Mr Drax has spelled out to the minister the concerns of coastguards and constituents.

He has urged people to make their feelings known in the consultation process through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency website at www.mcga.gov.uk