Bishop urging a re-think on fire station closures

THE BISHOP of Warwick has waded into the debate over proposed fire station closures, saying officials need to “seriously rethink” the idea.

The Rt Rev John Stroyan claims the consultation process is biased, and that lives could be put at risk.

He spoke out after a series of heated meetings between residents and senior fire officers came to an end.

“The people of Warwick and Warwickshire are hugely concerned about these proposals,” said the bishop.

“The questions in the consultation document are highly skewed to get the answers they want.

“If there is to be a genuine consultation, given the almost universal public concern about the proposals, there will need to be some serious rethinking, taking into account the legitimate concerns that are being raised.

“After all, surely we are all after the same thing: increased public safety?”

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue service wants to close Brinklow, Kenilworth, Bedworth, Warwick, Studley, Fenny Compton and Bidford stations, and cut the number of retained firefighters by 100, although there would be 20 new full-time firefighters.

The proposals have angered thousands of residents across Warwickshire who have started campaigns and petitions to keep their local fire stations open, despite assurances that response times would be unaffected

A march through Warwick town centre will also take place on
Sunday December 6, from Shire Hall.

Consultation on the proposals closes on Tuesday December 8.

The outcomes will then be presented in a report to cabinet on January 28, which will be made public, before a final decision is made by Warwickshire County Council on February 9.

n To have your say visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue or email fireandrescue@warwickshire.gov.uk.