We will update this item as we learn more

Sunday, February 12, 2006

"Given the events of the past few weeks, I accept that the decision to reverse the close Hebden Bridge station and instead keep open Mytholmroyd is inevitable in the short term.

"I am concerned that this now has to happen without further public consultation. I hope that the Fire Authority will now accept that the only long-term solution to secure adequate fire cover in the Upper Valley is to identify the most appropriate site for an enhanced modern station which gives adequate access to both communities and the wider area of the Upper Valley, and that they will start consultations and deliberations towards achieving this as a matter of urgency."

Friday, February 3, 2006

Concerns grow for the future of the Hebden Bridge Fire Station

Two more FireFighters have quit which means that the Hebden Bridge Fire Station is unstaffed because they now have no driver!

Earlier, four FireFighters quit following disciplinary action. Crew at Hebden Bridge had been under so much pressure to attend jobs, they had been turning out with three FireFighters when the legal requirement is four.

In spite of strong local feeling, the Fire Authority recently decided to close Mytholmroyd Fire Station while keeping Hebden Bridge open. Today, members of the authority's executive committee are discussing new proposals for the upper Calder Valley in private, prompting fears they could decide to shut Hebden Bridge station.

Alan Brooks, chairman of Royd Regeneration, said: "The crew in Hebden Bridge has been under great pressure recently to turn out to jobs and to turn out in a certain time. "They are being asked to deliver goods which they cannot always deliver."

Calder Valley councillor Nader Fekri said: "We are in a perilous condition and I am concerned for people up and down the valley."

Look Again at Mytholmroyd Closure, urges MP

Following reports about problems at the Hebden Bridge fire station, local MP Chris McCafferty has urged the West Yorkshire Fire Authority to defer or reconsider their decision to close Mytholmroyd Fire Station.

Chris told the Hebden Bridge Web: "If there is any possibility that the data which was used to justify the closure of Mytholmroyd is flawed, then the Fire Authority must defer the closure and review the information. They should certainly do nothing to further reduce the facilities available from Mytholmroyd until the situation at Hebden Bridge has been resolved. I am obviously very concerned and will be monitoring the position closely over the next few weeks."

More info

Hebweb news Aug- Dec 2005:
MP's Anger over Fire Station Closure

Courier article - 2nd Feb
Courier article - 20th Jan 2006

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