Makeover bid for fire stations put on hold

Plans to rebuild and refurbish fire stations in the Black Country and Birmingham have been put on ice while the fire service tightens its belt during the recession.

Around £180,000 is needed for work on Smethwick station in Stoney Lane, but authority bosses say they simply cannot afford to do the work. The station was earmarked for closure in a shake-up of the service announced in October 2008, but when the proposals went out to consultation the service was contacted by scores of campaigners who felt it should stay open.

It was saved from closure in February 2009 when West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority threw out the proposals and modernisation plans were drawn up.

During the same shake-up last year it was agreed that Cradley Heath and Halesowen stations would be combined with a new station built to serve both areas. Those plans have also been put on hold.

And plans to relocate Wednesbury fire station to a new site in the Wood Green area, close to the Walsall border, have also been delayed, along with plans for new stations in the Chelmsley Wood, Aston and Wood Green areas of Birmingham.

Councillor Tony Ward, chairman of West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, said: "The redevelopment plans have had to be put on hold. As an authority we are committed to the refurbishments and rebuild but the simple fact is that at the moment we can't afford it.

"We have been asked by central government to save £1m this year and this is a challenge."

Last month it was revealed that more than 40 office jobs are to be shed from West Midlands Fire Service to help save cash.