Reprieved!

by Christopher Flavell

DROITWICH Spa's Fire Station is now set to stay in the town after a u-turn from service officials.

The decision has eased fears that the station, which is off the Saltway, would be moved closer to the motorway under improvement plans.

News of the station's future will be welcomed by some residents who did not like the fact that the station would be relocated out of the town and so further away from potential incidents and emergencies directly in the Spa.

The scheme to move the station was first unveiled as part of a Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service draft risk management plan last year. The current station, which is also used to train firefighters, was to be moved closer to the M5 so that crews could reach other places more easily and with less road congestion.

It was thought that even though the current station would remain as a training base in the town an improved and updated station was also needed.

However, fire service officials have now decided against the plans and instead have opted to keep and improve the current station.

Planning applications for the work have now been submitted to Wychavon District Council.

Spokesman for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Alec Mackie, said: "Droitwich Fire Station is now going to stay at its current site and will not be moving out of the town.

"Instead it will be improved and will also remain as a training complex."

As well as the station keeping its home in the heart of the town, it will also become a base for a special urban search and rescue team.

It will mean that firefighters from the brigade will be on hand to deal with specialised incidents. The team will be specially trained to deal with rescues from collapsed buildings and other similar incidents.

"The urban search and rescue team will use the Droitwich complex as a base. We see this move as a positive step and will hopefully move the station forward for the future," added Mr Mackie.