Funding confirmed for new fire stations

Gloucestershire is a step closer to having four brand new fire stations and a Life Skills Centre.

The Government has been reviewing all of it's spending since October, but has now confirmed it will fund a £40 million pound PFI bid.

It means new stations will be built at Cheltenham Road East, Churchdown and Shepherd Road in Tuffley, replacing the current Gloucester fire station at Eastern Avenue.

In Cheltenham, a new station will be built at Uckington while the current station in Keynsham Road will be demolished and rebuilt at that location.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service say the new buildings will allow crews to respond quicker to incidents.

The new Community Life Skills Centre will be based at Shepherd Road and will be used by schoolchildren, groups, communities and organisations and provide a wide range of practical risk scenarios including road, rail, fire, electrical and water safety as well as other dangers in the home, including slips, trips, accidental poisoning and internet safety. It will also focus on teaching young people about social responsibility and respect.

Jon Hall, Chief Fire Officer, said: "With confirmation of Government’s support for Gloucestershire, we are delighted to now be able to start this project.

"The county will be well served by the four new stations which will mean that we can get to those that need our help faster and provide more effective safety education."

The work will start next month with the Shepherd Road site being the first to get underway.