Haleswoen fire station battle costs hit £10,000

A legal battle to save doomed Halesowen fire station from the axe has cost taxpayers about £10,000.

West Midlands Fire Authority chairman Councillor John Ed-wards says he is "annoyed" they have to foot the bill.

He said the service faced millions of pounds worth of funding cutbacks due to reduced government payments.

Campaigners withdrew their bid for a judicial review into proposals to shut Halesowen fire station after failing to find the necessary funding to take their application to the High Court.

Councillor Edwards said today: "It has cost us almost £10,000 in legal bills and officers' time that was unnecessary in my view.

"It has left me feeling very annoyed that taxpayers' money has been wasted in this way."

Halsowen & Rowley Regis MP James Morris, who backed the campaign, said: "I am surprised at the figures quoted on the legal costs incurred by the West Midlands Fire Service.

"They are obviously retaining very expensive lawyers.

"The group has sought all along to oppose the plans to close Halesowen fire station on a non-party political basis and to defend the interests of the community against a decision about which there is very strong opposition."