Concerns raised over plan to sell fire station
Donna CliffordConcerns have been raised about plans to sell a fire station.
Members of the Humberside Fire Authority have agreed to the closure of Cromwell Road Fire Station, in Grimsby, as part of reinvestment plans.
But Matt Patrick, a Grimsby councillor, said he wanted reassurances on whether moving provisions to other stations would "meet future demand".
Humberside Fire and Rescue Service said the changes would have "no impact on the number of firefighters, the number of fire engines or response times in Grimsby and surrounding areas".
The fire service said selling the station was part of its capital programme for 2029-30 and the money would be reinvested into an extensive refurbishment of Peaks Lane Fire Station.
The decision was based on "thorough analysis of historical data", it added.
Patrick, who represents Heneage ward on North East Lincolnshire Council, said he had asked the fire service if "the capacity in Peaks Lane Fire Station would meet future demand", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
"I was told in the debate by the fire officer this is something they're aware of and they will consider in the future," he added.
Patrick said he was "open-minded" about the future of the Cromwell Road station, but wanted a better understanding of issues "before we sell, because once it's gone, it's gone".
'Investment programme'
Councillor Les Bonner, who represents the Yarborough ward in Grimsby, said: "I would have liked to have seen the building retained as a community facility and given to the community, but we have no organisation that would run it."
A spokesperson for the fire service said: "The changes in Grimsby will have no impact on the number of firefighters, the number of fire engines or response times in Grimsby and surrounding areas.
"This is a matter of tidying up the legacy estate in advance of a programme of investment in buildings across the service area."
Community groups that used the fire station had been provided with "guidance on alternative service premises".
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