Demolition paving the way for fire base
Demolition of the former Municipal Building in Cradley Heath was well under way today – paving the way for the building of a £3 million fire station.
The former landmark council block on Barrs Road is being taken down to make way for a fire station, which will serve Halesowen and Cradley Heath. Much of the pre-Second World War building has been reduced to rubble. The scheme will eventually include dedicating part of the site for parking to be used by Sandwell Leisure Trust for visitors to Haden Hill Leisure Centre.
Costs of providing the new building will be offset by the generation of an estimated £1.5m from the sale of the two sites.
The fire station will have a glass-fronted reception area, and house one engine but have three bays for other fire service vehicles.
Engines will enter and exit off Halesowen Road, and traffic signals will be used to make it safe.
Site manager Mike Finnigan said: "The structural demolition is now well under way. The main challenge has been the building's location in a busy area next to a main road. We have had to make to make sure the site is secured."
Halesowen Fire Station, in Hagley Road, was closed in May. Firefighters were redeployed to other stations until the fire hub is built.
The municipal building was built in 1938 and has been used as council offices since 1974. Last year Sandwell Council announced it would close the building.
Mr Finnigan, of Cheshire-based MJ Finnigan Ltd, said: "We're honoured to be involved in such a high-profile project and we're looking forward to getting the job done."
