Site for new fire station too small, fears union

FBU representatives are worried that cover in the area will be cut. They claim a new site planned for Bradford's Nelson Street station - on Maud Street, off Leeds Road - is too small.

Sean Cahill, divisional chairman of the FBU, said the West Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority's public consultation document on new arrangements for fire cover in the Bradford and Leeds area, released at the end of August, did not make clear what would happen to the Bradford station.

But at a meeting between Chief Fire Officer Jim Manuel, his deputy Philip Toase and union officials yesterday, it was confirmed that a planning application for the Maud Street sight had been submitted.

Mr Cahill said: "The Fire Authority commissioned a £15,000 study which stated Bradford needed a five-bay engine house for four appliances and accommodation for 18 staff on duty at any one time.

"Yesterday's meeting confirmed our worst fears that they are looking at Maud Street, which is a three-bay station and will probably only house two pumping appliances.

"This amounts to near enough a 50 per cent cut in appliances and consequently much less cover for Bradford, which is one of the most high risk areas of the whole brigade.

"The implications from this is that people's lives could be put at risk if the proposals go ahead."

Mr Cahill said the union would bring up the issue of Bradford fire station at a public meeting on October 11, called to discuss the merger of Pudsey and Bramley fire stations. Union representatives would also petition MPs and elected members of the Fire Authority.

A Fire Service spokesman confirmed that a planning application for Maud Street had been submitted.

The spokesman said: "At the moment, we're only at a public consultation stage for Pudsey and Bramley. Once that's finished, there will be a period of public consultation for Bradford as well."

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