Press Release from Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service

Four new stations for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service

A £40m PFI investment was secured today for Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service to build four new fire stations in Gloucester and Cheltenham.

The funding gives the green light for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service to build new stations at Shepherd Road and Cheltenham Road East in Gloucester; and Tewkesbury Road, Uckington. We will also rebuild the current station at Keynsham Road in Cheltenham.

This investment will ensure that Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service are able to respond to any incident in Gloucester and Cheltenham within 8 minutes- essential in maximising survivability.

The station locations have been calculated using sophisticated modelling software and positioned to deliver adequate safety provision for the county, both now and in the future.

Not only will the stations provide protection for residents, they will be a focal point for the local community in delivering and supporting essential community safety messages for both young and old.

The stations will provide a space for partner organisations in promoting their messages.

The Shepherd Road site in Gloucester will also house a ground-breaking Community Life Skills Centre. This Centre will educate thousands of Gloucestershire's schoolchildren about the risks and dangers present in everyday life.

Moving beyond the traditional fire safety role, these community fire stations will carry road, water and railway safety messages, help support vulnerable groups and give emergency help information to visitors.

The state-of-the-art stations will be constructed to environmentally rigorous standards, minimising the wastage of water, using natural materials wherever possible and using renewable energy sources for heating and lighting.

Director for Community Safety and Chief Fire Officer for Gloucestershire Terry Standing said:

'It gives me great pleasure to be able to announce this massive new investment for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service.

'These stations are the best and most effective was of ensuring the safety of all of Gloucestershire's residents - through effective protection and education - in the future. I'm proud to be leading this project.'

Cllr Will Windsor Clive, Community Safety Lead said:

'It's a fantastic day for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service. These stations will maintain and improve upon the first-rate service provided to the public.

'Importantly, these stations move beyond the traditional role, into becoming a resource for the whole community to use and enjoy, whilst delivering essential - and potentially life saving messages - to the community.'

'It's a very exciting time for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service.'

ENDS

Contact
Issued by Lisa Bonnell, Gloucestershire County Council Media Team, 01452 425226 lisa.bonnell@gloucestershire.gov.uk

4th April 2008

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