Talks begin on closing Cleckheation fire station and relocating crews

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority (WYFRA) has given the go ahead for an eight week period of consultation over proposals to relocate the fire station in Hightown Road, Cleckheaton, to the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) Headquarters in Birkenshaw
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The fire station in Cleckheaton is one of the oldest fire stations in West Yorkshire, constructed in the 1950s, and due to its condition requires a rebuild to avoid expensive repair and ongoing maintenance costs.

WYFRS said relocating the fire station to Birkenshaw would see improved attendance times in areas deemed by the Fire Service to be ‘high’ and ‘very high risk,’ meaning it would be closer to those most vulnerable to having a fire.

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Meanwhile, its relocation would still ensure that all areas currently served would still receive a fire engine within our agreed response times said WYFRS.

Cleckheaton fire stationCleckheaton fire station
Cleckheaton fire station

Chair of the Fire Authority, Councillor Darren O’Donovan, said: “The Fire Authority’s aim is to provide the very best possible Fire and Rescue Service for the people of West Yorkshire, working against the backdrop of ever decreasing budgets given to us by Government.

“So it’s vital that we hear your views on proposals that involve a change such as this. Please do have your say on the future of your Fire and Rescue Service.

“Members of the Authority will take into account all the responses to the consultation as we consider the best way forward.”

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The proposals would have no impact on staffing numbers or the number of fire engines.

Currently 40 staff work at the wholetime station on a rolling shift pattern utilising a fire engine and Technical Rescue Unit. Rebuilding the existing fire station on its current site would cost approximately £2.9m whereas a rebuild at Fire Service Headquarters would cost approximately £1.3m.

Building at Fire Service Headquarters, combined with the sale of the Cleckheaton site, would save £1.975m over the cost of rebuilding on the current site.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Nick Smith said: “We believe building a new station at our Headquarters is the right thing to do. It improves fire cover for the most at risk communities in the area and also enables us to provide best value for money.

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“However, before the Fire Authority makes a decision on this proposal we want to hear from the public. Therefore, we are urging people to get involved and give us their views on the relocation of the station in Hightown Road, Cleckheaton to our Headquarters site in Birkenshaw.

“Please do spare a few minutes to complete the feedback form as we would like to hear as many people’s opinion on the proposals as possible.”

Timeline for proposals The eight week consultation will run from the 25 June until the 21st August 2020. The outcomes of the consultation will be presented to the Fire Authority on the 18 September 2020.