Former Waveney MP Bob Blizzard has criticised the government’s decision to close the coastguard rescue co-ordination station at Great Yarmouth in the face of strong local opposition.

The decision to close Havenbridge House was announced by the government last week as part of plans to close eight centres nationally. Mr Blizzard said: “Following the decision to designate the coast off Lowestoft and Southwold as the only place in Britain where ship-to-ship oil transfers are allowed, closing our local coastguard adds insult to injury.

“We can see with our own eyes the horizon crowded with oil tankers most of the time. It’s irresponsible to encourage this and then shut the local coastguard station.

“As with the decision on oil transfers, the government has again ridden roughshod over what people said in the consultation period.”