Findon fire station battle backed by MP
MP Nick Herbert has added his voice to those opposing plans to close Findon fire station.
MP Nick Herbert has added his voice to those opposing plans to close Findon fire station.
The Arundel and South Downs MP told firefighters he was against the proposed closure during a visit to the station, in Horsham Road.
Mr Herbert will meet county fire officer Max Hood to raise his concerns about plans to close stations in his South Downs Constituency at Findon and Keymer, in Hassocks, next year.
He said the savings of £117,000 for Findon and £122,000 for Keymer represented less than one per cent of the county’s annual fire budget and were a questionable way of making savings.
Mr Herbert said: “I appreciate that savings need to be made and I support the county council who will have to make some difficult decisions in the months ahead.
“I do not question these proposals lightly. But the overall amount of money that will be saved by closing the retained fire stations at Findon and Keymer is very low.
“I hope the fire service and the county council will think again and find other ways to save the money.
“The situation reminds me of the debate over the proposed downgrading of our local hospitals – when the Primary Care Trust was eventually persuaded to go back to the drawing board, they found a better way to deliver the savings while protecting the local services. The fire service should do the same.”
In an email to the Herald, Findon firefighters argued the case for keeping the station open.
They said the proposed attendance times given by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFRS), which reflected the situation should Findon station close and be covered by Worthing fire station, did not account for fire engines being sent to Findon from Lancing, which Worthing would also have to cover under the proposals.
They also said the retained firefighters at Findon costed around 45p an hour, “representing great value”.
A decision on the proposals from the WSFRS is expected in November and, if approved, will be implemented next year.
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Weather for Worthing
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: West
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
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