Construction work has started on a controversial new fire station in the green belt at Mollington near Chester.
Under the plans, Chester and Ellesmere Port will have just one full-time engine each, with a back-up pump based at the new hub.
Cheshire West and Chester Council gave the station permission claiming it met the ‘very special circumstances test needed to build in the green belt but campaigners claim the move simply rubber-stamps a service cut by reducing the number of full-time fire engines from four to three.
Cheshire Fire Brigades Union is concerned this is spreading fire cover 'a little thinner' because many motorway incidents and house fires require a minimum two fire engines for safe working. Green belt campaigners are also upset, arguing alternative brown-field sites were available.
Fire chiefs have acknowledged its project to open four new fire stations, one at Alsager – which opened in August – another at Penketh, one near Lymm motorway interchange and the Mollington base, is driven by the need to make millions of pounds in savings but insist the service will be improved. The fire authority received a £4.5m government grant towards costs.
In launching the plan in 2012, chief fire officer Paul Hancock accepted there would be a loss of up to 100 full-time firefighter posts and greater use of on call firefighters but said the new stations would mean resources were in the best locations, including dealing with motorway incidents.
Mr Hancock said previously: “This is the start of an exciting programme which will ensure we can continue to protect communities across Cheshire despite the financial challenges we are facing.
“The investment in new stations together with changing how some fire engines are staffed means we will be able to make more efficient and effective use of our emergency response services in the future.”
Rumours are now circulating within Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service about whether Chester’s main fire station in St Anne Street will be sold off and a smaller site secured.
A spokeswoman for the fire service said: "Work has only just started at the site of the proposed new fire station at Powey Lane but we are hoping that the building will be completed towards the end of October 2016 and become operational by the end of the year.
"The authority keeps the location and potential development of all its stations under review but there are currently no formal plans for further changes at Chester."
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