THE campaign to save New Quay’s all-weather lifeboat now has the full support of Ceredigion County Council.

The RNLI is planning to replace the ageing all-weather Mersey-class boat at the New Quay station with an Atlantic-class inshore boat, rather than a new Shannon-class all-weather boat, prompting a huge public outcry.

A motion passed unanimously by Ceredigion County Council called on the RNLI to retain the all-weather lifeboat capability at New Quay, which covers 70 miles of coastline.

The motion – which will be presented to the RNLI - also stated that parts of Cardigan Bay would be an hour and a quarter from the nearest all-weather lifeboat should the decision go through.

A spokesman for Ceredigion Lifeboat campaign said: “The fact that the motion was passed unanimously reflects the importance of this issue to the whole county, not just to New Quay and the surrounding area.

“Our community is united in its opposition to the RNLI's plans to remove all-weather lifesaving capability from the Ceredigion coast and we will do everything within our power to overturn this misguided decision.”

An RNLI spokesman has previously said: “The decision to replace the all-weather lifeboat at New Quay was underpinned by extensive research of records going back to 2008.

“It concluded that services by New Quay RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat could have been carried out safely and effectively by an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, supported by 25-knot lifeboats at neighbouring stations if required.”

A petition opposing the RNLI’s plan has attracted thousands of signatures of support. To sign the online petition, go to https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-shannon-class-lifeboat-at-new-quay or visit local businesses for paper petitions.