THE CEREDIGION county councillor who will urge colleagues to oppose the RNLI’s decision to axe New Quay’s all-weather lifeboat at tomorrow’s meeting of full council claims there is “quiet panic” growing over the consequences of the controversial move.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Cllr Elizabeth Evans, of Aberaeron, told the Cambrian News that it was “critical” to the safety of the lives of everyone using Cardigan Bay that the lifeboat was retained.

“I feel it is crucial that Ceredigion councillors add their voice of dissent to the hundreds who are protesting over this ill-judged decision by the RNLI,” she said.

The decision to replace the all-weather boat with a smaller Atlantic 85 inshore boat in 2020 has been strongly criticised.

The RNLI maintain the new lifeboat will allow crews to “respond quicker and travel further to help those in trouble at sea”.

However, campaigners fighting the plan say it will leave a gap of nearly 70 miles between all-weather lifeboat stations in an area frequented by fishing vessels, passenger boats and leisure craft.

“There is quiet panic growing as to the consequences of this decision and I believe, as others do, that the RNLI will put lives directly at risk if this decision is not overturned,” said Cllr Evans.

“If the voice of Ceredigion councillors can add to the pressure put on the RNLI to overturn their decision then it’s worth trying because there is too much at stake if we don’t.”

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