Work starts on Alsager’s new fire station

Work has started on the new fire station being built on the former Council yard in Brookhouse Road. The new station is part of a new major programme that aims to transform how fire and rescue services will be provided across Cheshire in the future.

The programme was developed following extensive public consultation and involves building four new fire stations, keeping virtually the same number of fire engines but changing how some of them are crewed, Alsager is the first station to be built. The near £1 million scheme is due to be completed by July next year, with recruitment already underway for the part-time or on-call firefighters who will be based there. Meanwhile, five companies are being invited to bid for a single contract worth an estimated £13 million to build the three further stations, one of which is integrated with an innovative safety centre. Chief Fire Officer Paul Hancock said, “This is the start of an exciting programme which will ensure we can continue to protect communities across Cheshire despite the financial challenges we are facing. The investment in new stations together with changing how some fire engines are staffed means we will be able to make more efficient and effective use of our emergency response services in the future.” Fire Authority Chair Cllr. John Joyce added: “I am delighted that our ambitious programme of new stations is starting in earnest and I am confident that the overall programme will help us to continue the major reductions in fire and injuries we have achieved in recent years.”