Fears fire station move may increase response time

Relocating fire station crews to a station nine miles away could have an impact on emergency response times, Surrey's Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has warned.

"No suitable replacement" site has been found for services ahead of the closure of Banstead Fire Station, with crews currently serving there due to be moved to Godstone Fire Station, about a 20-minute drive away.

An FBU spokesperson said increased response times would be a "significant concern" for firefighters, with Reigate MP Rebecca Paul, whose constituency covers Banstead, adding the decision was "incredibly disappointing".

A Surrey Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said Banstead residents would continue to receive a service which is up to performance standards.

Paul told BBC Radio Surrey: "I'm really unhappy about what this means for average response times.

"There will be occasions where every second matters, and while I accept other parts of Surrey may be safer, the average response time around here is going to be higher."

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service announced in 2024 that the Banstead station would be moved to Godstone "if an appropriate and affordable site in the optimum location of Whyteleafe was not available to buy".

The force added the current building was "not fit for a modern fire and rescue service", and was also due to be sold by Surrey Police, which owns the building.

In December 2024, the move was postponed until at least 2026, but on Monday the fire service announced that no site had been found, and the move will go ahead in March 2027.

An FBU spokesperson said: "We recognise that considerable effort has been made to identify a suitable site and that an extensive search was undertaken.

"However, despite those efforts, we remain disappointed that a viable alternative location has not been found.

"The Fire Brigades Union's position remains clear: we oppose the closure of fire stations where doing so reduces local fire cover and increases emergency response times."

Godstone Fire Station will be refurbished ahead of the move in a bid to increase capacity and "ensure the station is modern, efficient, and fit for purpose", the fire service said.

A spokesperson added: "Public safety remains SFRS's priority and residents will continue to receive an emergency response that meets the services performance standards."

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