Six rural fire stations could be saved from cuts

Controversial plans to close eight rural fire stations could be axed.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) had proposed closing a number of stations including Ramsbury, Bradford-on-Avon, Wilton and Mere to save money.

But after a public consultation and conversations with the government about the service's funding, chief fire officer Andy Cole said he was now recommending six stations remain open and two merge with nearby stations.

In a public statement, Cole said the service needed to modernise and adapt to "create a fire and rescue service fit for the second half of the 21st Century".

He added that he had been in "positive conversations" with government about "future council tax flexibility" to help fund the service.

The previous plans had been criticised by farmers concerned about wildfires. A Wiltshire councillor also queried how the cuts could impact the county's response to terrorist incidents following the service's response to the 2018 Novichok attack in Salisbury.

Under the new proposals, the following stations will remain open and undergo modernisation:

• Bradford-on-Avon
• Charmouth
• Cranborne
• Maiden Newton
• Mere
• Ramsbury

Meanwhile, Hamworthy Fire Station will merge with Poole Fire Station and Wilton Fire Station will merge with Salisbury Fire Station - both initially through a 12-month trial period.

Dave Roberts, executive council member for the south-west regional branch of the Fire Brigades Union, broadly welcomed the changes, which he said had come as a result of the union's lobbying.

However, he added, there were still "major concerns for the rationale behind" the two proposed mergers, claiming they would increase wait times for communities in Hamworthy and Wilton.

A final decision on the plans will be made at a meeting on 30 June.

Brian Mathew, MP for Melksham and Devizes, said the news was "fantastic" for Bradford-on-Avon, adding that the case for the station's closure "simply did not stack up".

"The firefighters based here do an outstanding job protecting our communities," he said.

"Throughout this campaign they have demonstrated incredible professionalism, continuing to respond to emergencies while also making the case for why their station matters."

North Dorset MP Simon Hoare thanked Cole "for listening" and residents for taking part in the consultation, adding: "Collectively: we did it!"

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