Fire station shake-up go-ahead

11:40am Tuesday 10th October 2006

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A CONTROVERSIAL plan to downgrade three full-time Gwent fire stations must go ahead, say authority chiefs.

South Wales Fire Authority says the stations in Abercarn, Abertillery and Caldicot must become retained as part of a major shake-up.

That would mean there would be no full-time station in the whole of Monmouthshire, or in the valley between Newport and Ebbw Vale.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) chairman told the Argus the plans would put people "at increased risk".

But despite opposition voiced by the public, FBU and politicians throughout a three-month consultation, the authority says the changes must go ahead.

Councillor Derek Rees, chairman of the South Wales Fire Authority, called the current day crewing system at the stations "unsustainable".

He added: "In the absence of practical and workable alternative suggestions from our stakeholders, the proposals as they exist in the plan will remain in place. "

Councillor Rees said the the transition would be gradual and would "only become permanent once we are confident that public safety is not compromised".

But FBU chairman Nigel Williamson, who is based at Caldicot, said people would be "at increased risk" under the plans and said firefighters at the stations concerned were "dismayed"at the decision.

"This is a deterioration in service,"he said. "I am concerned about this not just as a firefighter but as a member of the community.

"That's not to denigrate retained staff who are trained to the same high standard, but the transition will mean people can no longer rely on an appliance being available in their area 24 hours a day, for 365 days of the year."

A total of 58 full-time posts will be lost from the the three stations, and at Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The report envisages some officers being transferred to other stations, while around 30 posts will be gradually phased out through retirement.

Ebbw Vale will be upgraded with 20 new full-time officers joining the team.

A further 24 jobs are to be transferred from Cwmbran.

It is understood the plans should be fully implemented by 2010.

Another proposal to merge Cefn Fforest with Bargoed and form a new station to serve the two areas is still under discussion.

Mr Rees said a new community station built in partnership with Caerphilly council was a possibility.

He said the authority's plan was amended to ensure a minimum of two engines remained in the area.

Councillors in Blackwood have said they will fight any plan to take away the local fire station.

Islwyn's AM Irene James said: "My key concern has always been and will continue to that a full-time fire service is maintained in Islwyn."