CHESTER could be served by two new fire stations to ensure ‘a better response’ despite a £5m cuts programme which could see the loss of up to 100 full-time firefighter posts across the county.

Government cuts are driving the county-wide proposals which would see a greater use of on call firefighters to save ongoing wages costs but up to five new stations so resources are in the best locations.

The Chester station would lose its second engine but this would be relocated to a new operational response hub close to the M53-M56 interchange – possibly in Backford on the A41.

This pump could deal with motorway collisions and back up Chester or Ellesmere Port, where the town’s station may also lose its second engine to a new on-call station in Neston or see it staffed on a part-time basis.

Talks are also ongoing with Cheshire West and Chester Council and other agencies about the option of housing Chester’s city centre fire station in a new building co-located with other services in the same area as now.

Chief Fire Officer Paul Hancock said: “We are having some conversations with the local authorities. From a Chester perspective, the Northgate Arena redevelopment has sort of come back on the cards again so we’re having conversations with them about a joint police station, fire station, ambulance station, library, whatever it may be.”

Frodsham’s retained fire station is not directly impacted but will be affected by the new arrangements including proposals to change how the second fire engine at Runcorn is crewed.

Mr Hancock accepts building new fire stations will cost millions of pounds but this would be ‘a one-off’ cost compared with ongoing savings on wages.

He said: “I’m not hiding the fact it will mean fewer firefighters but we are strong in our belief that we can deliver those savings over the next four years without the need for compulsory redundancies.”

The plans are subject to a 12-week public consultation which will run until December 17, with a decision expected in February 2013.

For more information, visit www.cheshirefire.gov.uk.