Stockport MP welcomes plans to keep open constituency’s only fire station
Navendu Mishra, the Member of Parliament for Stockport, has welcomed plans to keep King Street West Fire Station open. The station, which is the only one in the Stockport constituency, was at risk of closure with plans to merge the service, including the fire engine and staff, with the Whitehill site. The move, which could have impacted the response time, was campaigned against by the Stockport MP and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), who considered it to be irresponsible at a time when there are a large number of new homes being built in the town centre and Stockport overall.
Last year, the FBU reported that England’s fire services have been cut by £140 million since 2016 and in Greater Manchester, there was a reduction of 631 full-time firefighter roles between 2010 and 2021. The FBU have consistently campaigned against these cuts, noting their risk to public safety.
Navendu Mishra MP has commented:
“It is good news that Kings Street West Fire Station is staying open. As Stockport town centre undergoes regeneration, we are seeing increasing development and the borough already has the second highest number of high rises in Greater Manchester. In that context, I believe it is very important for there to be fully serviced and staffed fire stations in our constituency. That’s why I have been campaigning with the Fire Brigades Union to ensure that the Kings Street West site stays open.”
He added:
“I first contacted the Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire back in March and met with her in April, and I’m glad to see that my concerns were listened to and addressed.”
Dave Pike, the Brigade Secretary of Greater Manchester FBU, has commented:
“I am grateful to Navendu for the work he has done campaigning to keep King Street West open. From day one of the FBU contacting him, he has supported us and pushed back against plans for closure. To close the site would have impacted the response time in an area with increasing development, including high rises.”
Notes to Editors:
[1] https://www.fbu.org.uk/news/2021/03/02/englands-fire-services-cut-ps140m-2016-new-figures-show
