Post by admin on Nov 8, 2006 0:50:01 GMT 1
HASLINGDEN MP Greg Pope has raised concerns over the potential closure of the town’s fire station in the House of Commons.
Mr Pope spoke on the fire service review, which could see Haslingden Fire Station closed down, on Tuesday, putting forward his concerns to Local Government Minister Phil Woolas.
He said: ‘In my constituency six fire engines could be reduced to three and Haslingden Fire Station could be closed down.
Advertisement
‘One of the points I made to the commons was that when I visited the fire station over the summer, before they could explain the work they do, the bell went and they had to go out to a fire.
‘It showed that actions speak louder than words.’
He told the commons that according to the fire station’s figures, they were called out 173 times last year and 23 times they were required to go outside of their area to provide back up, mainly in Rawtenstall.
He said: ‘They do absolutely vital work. I welcome the review, but I hope the fire authority will conclude that the people of Haslingden need their fire station, because I think they do.’
Mr Woolas said he would write to County Councillor Bob Wilkinson, chairman of the Combined Fire Authority, chief fire officer Peter Holland and his deputy Peter O’Brian to pass on the strong argument.
Rossendale MP Janet Anderson was unable to attend the debate, but has written to Mr Woolas and County Councillor Wilkinson to reinforce the fact we need a proper fire service in Rossendale.
Meanwhile, to collect views on the proposals, meetings have been held across Lancashire with affected staff members and selected members of the public.
In Rossendale, the options put forward are either for Haslingden to close or for Rawtenstall only to be manned full time during the day, with retained firefighters providing cover at night.
The Rossendale meeting took place last Thursday at Sykeside Hotel in Haslingden and around 12 residents were chosen to attend.
Andy Coulton, crew manager at Haslingden, has raised concerns over the way these public meetings have been carried out and why they are not open to all.
County Councillor Wilkinson said: ‘The staff meetings were held first and then meetings with the public.
‘There were seven such meetings throughout Lancashire and they were all held in the same fashion.’
Crew manager Coulton said the firefighters were also busy distributing 5,000 leaflets around the town opposing the proposed cuts, adding: ‘It’s all about raising people’s awareness.’
# FIREFIGHTERS from Rawtenstall will hand over a 4,000-signature petition opposing the cuts to County Councillor Wilkinson and senior fire service management at the fire station today (Friday).
Haslingden firefighters, Greg Pope, and councillors backing the campaign will also attend.
Kelly Livesey
First published by the Rossendale Free Press
Mr Pope spoke on the fire service review, which could see Haslingden Fire Station closed down, on Tuesday, putting forward his concerns to Local Government Minister Phil Woolas.
He said: ‘In my constituency six fire engines could be reduced to three and Haslingden Fire Station could be closed down.
Advertisement
‘One of the points I made to the commons was that when I visited the fire station over the summer, before they could explain the work they do, the bell went and they had to go out to a fire.
‘It showed that actions speak louder than words.’
He told the commons that according to the fire station’s figures, they were called out 173 times last year and 23 times they were required to go outside of their area to provide back up, mainly in Rawtenstall.
He said: ‘They do absolutely vital work. I welcome the review, but I hope the fire authority will conclude that the people of Haslingden need their fire station, because I think they do.’
Mr Woolas said he would write to County Councillor Bob Wilkinson, chairman of the Combined Fire Authority, chief fire officer Peter Holland and his deputy Peter O’Brian to pass on the strong argument.
Rossendale MP Janet Anderson was unable to attend the debate, but has written to Mr Woolas and County Councillor Wilkinson to reinforce the fact we need a proper fire service in Rossendale.
Meanwhile, to collect views on the proposals, meetings have been held across Lancashire with affected staff members and selected members of the public.
In Rossendale, the options put forward are either for Haslingden to close or for Rawtenstall only to be manned full time during the day, with retained firefighters providing cover at night.
The Rossendale meeting took place last Thursday at Sykeside Hotel in Haslingden and around 12 residents were chosen to attend.
Andy Coulton, crew manager at Haslingden, has raised concerns over the way these public meetings have been carried out and why they are not open to all.
County Councillor Wilkinson said: ‘The staff meetings were held first and then meetings with the public.
‘There were seven such meetings throughout Lancashire and they were all held in the same fashion.’
Crew manager Coulton said the firefighters were also busy distributing 5,000 leaflets around the town opposing the proposed cuts, adding: ‘It’s all about raising people’s awareness.’
# FIREFIGHTERS from Rawtenstall will hand over a 4,000-signature petition opposing the cuts to County Councillor Wilkinson and senior fire service management at the fire station today (Friday).
Haslingden firefighters, Greg Pope, and councillors backing the campaign will also attend.
Kelly Livesey
First published by the Rossendale Free Press