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Proposal for new fire station | thisiscornwall.co.uk | Nov 2010

Spotted on Thursday 18 November 2010 in The Cornishman/West Briton

Proposal for new fire station

PART-TIME firemen in Camborne-Redruth are worried about the future of their jobs if the service is reorganised.

But at Hayle there is delight that, at long last, the town could have its own fire station.

The proposal, expected to be in place by 2013-14, is to replace the existing Camborne and Redruth stations with a single station – reducing the number of retained firemen that will be needed.

This would then allow a small fire station, manned by a retained crew, to be built at Hayle.

The Redruth station is manned entirely by retained firefighters and they fear they are most at risk.

One, who did not want to be identified, said: "We've all got mortgages and families and we could be out of a job."

Retained firemen are expected to be able to reach their station within five minutes of being called out but that would be more difficult if it was moved away from the town.

"It would also mean less fire cover in Redruth and outlying villages like Lanner, Carharrack and St Day," added the firefighter.

Concerns

Mike Tremellen, chairman of the Cornwall branch of the Fire Brigade Union, said he was aware of the retained men's concerns.

There was no suggestion that the 24-hour cover at Camborne would be downgraded at a new station. "We will hold them to that," added Mr Tremellen.

A fire station for Hayle has received the universal backing of the town's civic bodies.

Both Hayle Town Council and the residents' association have welcomed the proposal.

Hayle's mayor, Councillor John Bennett, said the town council was "universally excited and pleased" that a retained station for Hayle was being considered.

It has been suggested that the new station could be based in St Erth.

The chairman of Hayle Residents' Association, Harry Blakeley, believes Tolroy junction on the B3302 would offer the best solution to also provide cover for the Lizard, St Ives and Helston.

"A retained station would be fantastic for Hayle but in my view it should be a full-time station at the Tolroy junction. That would be the better solution. A 24-hour manned station could service Redruth, Camborne, St Ives and cover the whole of West Cornwall.