Confirmation of Warwickshire fire station closures

As we reported a few weeks back, Warwickshire County Council was in consultation over the closure of a number of fire stations in the area. Now, it has finally been confirmed that three stations in Warwick, Studley and Brinklow are to be closed.

The council approved the proposals with an overall majority vote from the 58 councillors present and these changes and redeployment of resources are expected to deliver an improvement in the area’s fire services.

However, the Fire Brigades Union has moved quickly to express its concerns over having fewer stations to deal with fires in the area, following the result of the proposals.

Assistant general secretary of the FBU, Andy Darke, said:

“Clearly we’re not pleased with the result.

“It’s not good for the fire and rescue service in Warwickshire and it doesn’t bode well for the future.”

There were three options under discussion, but each would have seen a minimum of two county stations (out of Bedworth, Bidford, Warwick, Brinklow, Fenny Compton, Kenilworth and Studley) forced to cease its operations.

The opposition to save the stations were rejected by councillors, despite a number of protest marches held throughout Warwickshire. A petition against the closures was also delivered to the council in vain.