Kenilworth Fire Station Faces Closure

4.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 14th Sep 2009

Liberal Democrats Liz Lynne MEP and Cllr John Whitehouse with firefighters in Kenilworth

Liberal Democrats in Kenilworth have reacted with alarm to the news that Kenilworth Fire Station has been listed for closure by the Conservative-controlled County Council. The news, which has been rumoured for some time, has now been confirmed by the Fire and Rescue Service.

After a twelve week consultation process, formal proposals are expected to be put before the County Council Cabinet in January 2010.

County councillor John Whitehouse (Liberal Democrat, Kenilworth Abbey), who represents the area in which the current fire station is situated, has asked the head of the Fire and Rescue service to organise public meetings in both Kenilworth and Burton Green, so that local people can make their views clear.

District councillor Ann Blacklock (Liberal Democrat, Kenilworth Abbey) said:

"If the closure goes ahead it will be a major blow for both Kenilworth and Burton Green. It's very difficult to see how the proposed cover from a fire station in the middle of busy Leamington can be as effective as the service we enjoy today."

Councillor Pat Ryan, Liberal Democrat leader on Kenilworth Town Council, said:

"The current retained crew has a first class record of being available for call-outs and a local knowledge that outside crews are unlikely to have. What matters to local people is how long it takes the fire engine to arrive when their house is on fire and not how it looks on some County Council plan. Kenilworth fire station has an excellent record in this respect, and has the confidence of local people."

Parliamentary spokesperson Nigel Rock is currently district councillor for a rural ward elsewhere in the new Kenilworth & Southam constituency, and is only too familiar with the issues and concerns of residents who feel a long way from their nearest fire station. He said:

"I know that my Lib Dem county councillor colleagues will do everything they can to make sure that Kenilworth and Burton Green continue to get the first class service they are used to. It's difficult to see how that can happen without a reprieve for the existing Kenilworth fire station. At the end of the day this will be a decision for the Conservatives who run Warwickshire. I hope they are prepared to listen."