For Sale signs have now gone up outside Radlett Fire Station and adverts published in the local press. Herts County Council is now serious about trying to get rid of the fire station buildings.
The site is described as the "Former Fire and Rescue Station"- a 0.25 acre site, with Main Road frontage and "development potential (subject to planning permission)". "Informal tenders" are invited.
The basic adverts are being "economical with the truth" as planning permission for the site - which is within the conservation area and located on a major road junction - will be challenging to say the least. And it will be strongly opposed by residents.
This all comes at a time when the new Government says it wants to return decision making to local communities and also to enable local communities to buy unwanted properties owned by councils at nominal costs for re-use for community purposes.
We watch progress with interest...
Showing posts with label Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Show all posts
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
The Story SOFAR
The Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service closed down the Radlett Fire Station in October 2006 despite the overwhelming opposition of the residents of Radlett, expressed in public meetings, hundreds of letters and over 7,000 signatures on a petition.
The campaign group SOFAR (Save Our Fire & Rescue) worked long and hard to prevent the closure and is still trying to get the station re-opened. Our main concern, apart from the obvious loss of a vital service was that fire engines from neighbouring areas would be unable to reach fires in Radlett and surrounding communities within the target times of 10 and 13 minutes for house fires where people may be trapped. Equally we were concerned at the loss of local knowledge so that fire crews from other stations would not know where some roads or properties are and this would also cause delays.
Over the past two years we have collected and collated the official statistics from the Fire Service and believe our fears have been realised. In particular, it has often been the case that the second engines needed before fire-fighters can enter a property have failed to meet the target arrival times in this area. We have also collected first-hand stories from residents who have seen fire engines going the wrong way towards roads and buildings from where an emergency call has been made because they do not know the locality.
The Radlett Fire Station building is still there in our high street although looking increasingly sad and unloved. We love it. We want it re-opened and back in operation with our local fire crew protecting us and our families.
This Blog will detail our continuing fight... please join us and help us if you can!
The campaign group SOFAR (Save Our Fire & Rescue) worked long and hard to prevent the closure and is still trying to get the station re-opened. Our main concern, apart from the obvious loss of a vital service was that fire engines from neighbouring areas would be unable to reach fires in Radlett and surrounding communities within the target times of 10 and 13 minutes for house fires where people may be trapped. Equally we were concerned at the loss of local knowledge so that fire crews from other stations would not know where some roads or properties are and this would also cause delays.
Over the past two years we have collected and collated the official statistics from the Fire Service and believe our fears have been realised. In particular, it has often been the case that the second engines needed before fire-fighters can enter a property have failed to meet the target arrival times in this area. We have also collected first-hand stories from residents who have seen fire engines going the wrong way towards roads and buildings from where an emergency call has been made because they do not know the locality.
The Radlett Fire Station building is still there in our high street although looking increasingly sad and unloved. We love it. We want it re-opened and back in operation with our local fire crew protecting us and our families.
This Blog will detail our continuing fight... please join us and help us if you can!
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