The Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) has joined colleagues in voicing his ‘extreme concern’ at the proposed reduction of fire services in the Borough.
Cllr Simon Robinson has responded to Notts Fire Authority’s current plans as part of its Futures 2025 Efficiency Strategy that could see significant reduction in services and possible response times from its West Bridgford Fire Station, at a time Rushcliffe’s population continues to increase rapidly.
In the Borough, developers are building the most new homes of anywhere in the East Midlands and because of its size geographically, has the second longest first appliance fire response attendance time in the county.
Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety at RBC Cllr Rob Inglis has now written to the Chair of the Notts Fire Authority Cllr Michael Payne and Chief Fire Officer Craig Parkin to outline his unhappiness at the proposals, a view shared by the Leader of the Council.
Cllr Robinson said: “We appreciate that it is a difficult financial time and the Fire Authority have done much to reduce the costs and work within a tight financial envelope.
“We’re also grateful of the exceptional work of Notts Fire and Rescue as they continue to educate and reduce the incidents of serious fire.
“However we are extremely concerned and unhappy about the proposed reduction of service in Rushcliffe at Loughborough Road Fire Station in West Bridgford, whilst aware there is proposed increase in Ashfield.
“In addition, the reduction of service from Loughborough Road is exacerbated by the reduction of services at the nearby London Road Fire Station in the city.
“There is significant housing growth in Rushcliffe and so the population base continues to rise. We are a large borough with major A roads and many rural roads and I know that a significant amount of the service’s response is attending road traffic collisions.
“The proposed impact on first appliance attendance time is exceptionally worrying and as Rushcliffe residents currently have the second longest first appliance attendance time in the county, the proposed changes will see an average 43 second increase in response. This is not reflected in a similar impact in other parts of the county.
“We have therefore put on record Rushcliffe Borough Council’s opposition to the proposals and asked the service reconsider its plans to ensure that residents here in Rushcliffe are treated fairly and respectfully as part of this review.”
• West Bridgford worst hit by Fire Service planned changes as Union boss comments
