Work to start on new £2m fire station

Work could begin imminently on Cannock's new £2 million fire station, it was revealed today. The scheme will see the existing 45-year-old station in Old Hednesford Road replaced.

Spokesman for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service Steve Sharma said once all the necessary paperwork and formalities had been completed, groundwork on the project could begin within a few days. It is intended that the new community fire station will be operational in August 2010.

The project is part of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Authority's £46 million private finance initiative programme.

Cannock's new facility will be one of seven new stations to be built across the county.

The programme of building work would involve the redevelopment of the present site in Old Hednesford Road.

The new station will also be manned around the clock. The current station is manned only from 9am to 9pm.

Cannock was chosen for the new station because it is considered a 'growth area'.

A previous scheme to build a new station at the Orbital Centre in Cannock was shelved more than a decade ago.

Firefighting cover for Cannock Chase will be maintained during the construction.

As part of the scheme the fire engines will leave the site via Cannock Road instead of going onto Old Hednesford Road as at present.

The new fire station will be up and running before the old station is demolished, ensuring there is no loss of service.

There will be a total of 28 firefighters at Cannock when the new station is fully operational.