RAF move is delayed by 10 months

RAF St Mawgan's search and rescue teams are to move to Wales

A move of search and rescue operations from a Cornwall RAF base to Wales has been delayed by 10 months, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

The unit at RAF St Mawgan was due to go to RAF Valley in October 2007 as part of MoD plans to mothball the base.

The MoD says the move to the Wales site will now not happen until August 2008.

The decision gives Cornwall County Council more time to help Newquay Airport to reach the civilian aviation standards needed after the RAF leaves.

'Some concerns'

When the military presence is completely withdrawn, the civilian airport, which uses the same site, will have to provide its own runway maintenance, firefighter cover and air traffic control.

A £21m funding package is being assembled by the council.

Andrew Mitchell, county councillor responsible for the airport, said: "The good news is the extra 10 months to get our civilian licence, which has got to be welcomed.

"But there are some concerns for the work staff and what this will mean for us taking over.

"We need to make sure this news doesn't affect anything in the wider plan."

The move was first scheduled for April 2007 but delayed by six months.

The new delay means a temporary reprieve for up to 500 civilian staff due to lose their jobs when military activity ceases.

Nick Wadge, chairman of the joint MoD trade unions at St Mawgan, said the delay would test employee loyalty.

A task force of union leaders, councils and the South West Regional Development Agency has been set up to find developments which would create new jobs.