Plans for closure of Dorset and Wiltshire fire stations to go to public consultation
The stations up for consultation include four in Dorset and four in Wiltshire
Proposals to shut down eight fire stations across Dorset and Wiltshire are set to go to public consultation.
The decision was made by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority, who received recommendations from a working group of its own Members after conducting months of analysis, alongside officers from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The stations up for consultation include four in Dorset: Charmouth, Cranborne, Hamworthy, and Maiden Newton, and four in Wiltshire: Bradford on Avon, Mere, Ramsbury, and Wilton.
The authority has been carrying out a fire cover review for the last three years, assessing data from 2019 to 2024 for all 50 stations within Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS).
Factors considered included:
- how busy the station is;
- how quickly and how often the station is able to respond to incidents;
- the financial impact of closing the fire station;
- how other fire engines nearby could respond to incidents;
- existing and possible future risk in the local communities; and
- how the Service meets the changing needs of its communities.
Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole said: “No-one wants to close fire stations. As with many public sector organisations, we continue to face significant financial challenges. This is despite our attempts to lobby Government for better funding, and saving over £15 million from our revenue budget since we combined in 2016.
“This financial pressure reflects a long-term reduction in central government funding for fire and rescue services, combined with rising costs that sit largely outside our control, such as the addition of National Insurance and pay award costs, as well as a below national average council tax contribution. As such, we must find ways to address the forecast deficits and ensure we are sustainable in the future. We’ve looked very carefully at all the facts to make sure we’re doing the right thing with the money and people we have. I truly believe these proposals will help better resource the Service and save money, whilst still achieving the level of support our communities expect of us.”
He added: “We understand that people care about what this means for their town or village. That is why, before the Fire & Rescue Authority make any decisions, we want people to tell us what they think and if there’s anything important that we might have missed. The Authority has not yet decided on these proposals, and all feedback received will help them to determine what is best for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.”