13.02.13
LFA rejects Boris plan to close 12 fire stations
The London Fire Authority has voted not to comply with the Mayor’s order for a public consultation on plans to close 12 fire stations.
The plans are aimed at saving £45m, with a loss of 520 jobs, but the LFA has voted not to run a consultation because it didn’t support the plans.
Terry Stacy, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the fire authority, said: “Once again the mayor has been sent a very powerful message about how strongly opposed London's elected politicians are to his dangerous proposals to close fire stations, remove engines and cut staff.”
Labour's London Assembly fire spokesman Navin Shah said: “Boris has a clear choice – he can either cut council tax by 7p a week, or he can freeze it and use the money to keep our fire stations open. By axing 12 fire stations and 18 fire engines Boris is jeopardising the safety and security of Londoners.”
But Colin Tandy, a Conservative member of the authority, said: “In the end, the mayor will win. He is within his rights – we should get on with consulting the public.”
The fire stations proposed to close are:
Belsize in Camden
Bow in Tower Hamlets
Clapham in Lambeth
Clerkenwell in Islington
Downham in Lewisham
Kingsland in Hackney
Knightsbridge in Kensington and Chelsea
New Cross in Lewisham
Silvertown in Newham
Southwark
Westminster
Woolwich in Greenwich
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Image c. AndrewHA