Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority has approved the proposal to merge Upton and West Kirby fire stations and build a new fire station on Saughall Massie Road.
The decision follows a 12-week consultation with the public over the proposals which resulted in overall support for them.
However, there was significant local opposition to the proposal to build a new station at the green belt site in Saughall Massie Road by many Saughall Massie residents who raised a number of issues relating to planning matters.
The merger of Upton and West Kirby fire stations would save 22 wholetime firefighter posts, which equates to a £864,000 annual saving.
The predicted mean average response time to incidents in the West Kirby area from a new fire station in Saughall Massie Road would be 6 minutes 38 seconds – which is 2 minutes 5 seconds quicker than if the Fire and Rescue Authority had approved the outright closure of West Kirby Station.
Chair of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor Dave Hanratty, said: “It is with a heavy heart that this merger has to go through but following unprecedented budget cuts from a Conservative Government we can no longer continue to keep the number of fire stations open that we currently have in Merseyside. These are very tough choices and they are not taken lightly. A lot of thought and consideration has gone into this decision by all members of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority.”
For more information about the merger, please visit the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority website.
