Save Warwick Fire Station!
Posted by James Plaskitt, MP for Warwick and Leamington, at 16:22, Fri 18 September 2009:
I'd like to tell you about a disturbing new proposal from Warwickshire County Council. They have decided to close down our fire station in Warwick. As your MP, I'm going to fight this all the way.
When the Council first suggested this idea in 2007, I organised a petition which gathered over 3500 signatures in a few weeks. They quickly backed down, but I was never convinced that the threat to Warwick fire station had gone away.
During the local elections earlier this year the issue of the fire station came up again. I, along with concerned Warwick residents, listened as Conservative Councillor Martyn Ashford told BBC Coventry and Warwickshire Radio that "Warwick fire station will remain".
Now the Council have published their plans to close seven fire stations across the county, including the one in Warwick. On top that, they want to slash the number of fire engines by a third and leave just one station serving Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth.
This is an extremely short-sighted and dangerous proposal. There are only two bridges connecting Warwick with Leamington, both of which can get very congested. Warwick fire station was called to 269 incidents last year, and with population set to rise it is quite irresponsible to leave the town without fire protection.
The Conservatives on the County Council seem to be more concerned about saving money than saving lives. I'm going to resume my fight to keep Warwick fire station open, and I'm asking for your support. You can join the Facebook campaign by searching for 'Save Warwick Fire Station' or sign the petition on my website at www.jamesplaskitt.com.
Thank you for your help.
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Posted by Lesley Timms, 17:01, Fri 18 September 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I don't know if it's public knowledge, but if a hotel, or The Castle go up in flames; they have to send at the least 4 tenders. This would take up most of Leamingtons engines. If we have a smash on the motorway they have to send at least two engines. How often do we get both at the same time. Quite often actually. Then if your house goes up in smoke what is left. Warwick and Kenilworth. That is all that stands between you and your families death. I am disabled, I can't climb out of a bedroom window. I'm also asthmatic and have emphasima; therefore first to die from smoke inhalation. I don't want to die because some idiot has called an engine mistakenly and taken up the last engine in Leamington. I would much rather have a part-time, highly trained fireman, from Warwick. I pay my council taxes. I don't get my bloody rubbish collected as often as i pay them to collect it. Are they going to kill me by taking my fire station away too!!!!!!