WHAT FUTURE FOR WESTON FIRE STATION?
As featured in the Weston Mercury.
Weston-super-Mare fire station could be downsized or relocated after budget constraints cast doubt over the site's future.
A chief fire officer has confirmed the station is facing an uncertain future, prompting concerns public safety could be put 'at risk' by any move.
The Mercury can reveal the future of the station, in Milton Avenue, has been thrown into doubt by Avon Fire and Rescue Service's latest strategic plan, as it weighs up options to make it 'fit for purpose'.
Chief fire officer Kevin Pearson told the Mercury the preferred option would be to rebuild on the same site, but bosses are keeping an 'open mind'.
He said: "We have been looking at all of our stations and recognised Weston is becoming really old and expensive.
Views of Weston Fire Station.Views of Weston Fire Station.
"In the future we may relocate. The big drive is our response times - we want to improve.
"The Weston site has a large footprint. We could look to build a new station but using less footprint. This would be with a view to sell some of the land we don't need.
"This is what we are looking at to see if it is an option. We will always keep an open mind.
"We have had interest to re-locate but we haven't identified a site that works."
This is not the only major change facing the town's emergency services - its town centre police station is set to close later this year, after the force moves to a new base at Weston Gateway Business Park.
The Milton Avenue fire station has been in use for 60 years and is the only station in North Somerset which has a full-time crew. But budget cuts have affected the recruitment of firefighters.
Mr Pearson said: "It has been really difficult financially. When the austerity measures came in we had to find £11.5million from our budget and we still have savings to make.
"The fire authority has seen our strategy and it was identified that Avonmouth and Weston are the stations which are the priority.
"I think the best thing would be a rebuild - that's looking like a favoured option."
The news comes after a number of serious fires in recent weeks, including the historic Uphill Manor bed and breakfast and family home, in which an accidental fire destroyed part of its roof, staircases and floors. Weston St John's FC was also destroyed by an arson attack, with police still investigating the incident.
Weston Central ward councillor Mike Bell has spoken of his support for a new station for the town, but stressed the need for safety to be put first.
He told the Mercury: "I am worried a smaller site may lead to fewer firefighters and less equipment. Any cuts to provision could see public safety put at risk, and that is something the whole community would rightly be concerned about.
"Weston Fire Station is the only full-time station in North Somerset and was built nearly 60 years ago. As Weston has grown and developed massively since then, it is important the fire authority looks actively at the case for a new fire station for the town, either in its current location or elsewhere.
"As we are regularly reminded by stories of heroic rescues and firefighting in the Mercury, our fire and rescue services are vitally important to our community. I believe it is essential they operate from modern, fit-for-purpose facilities. I'll keep pushing for the best possible arrangements for Weston."