Decision day on 999 services hub in Kidderminster

Silverwoods Park is the preferred site for the hub for the Wyre Forest district.

The recommendation was being discussed by members of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority today.

The hub has been proposed as a way of bringing together police, fire and ambulance crews in the district under one roof, allowing them to share operational intelligence with the aim of improving the way they respond to incidents.

Work to identify a suitable site has been ongoing since last year and details of sites, their availability, impact on attendance times and the local community as well as costs will be considered by members.

In a report, fire officials have recommended that Silverwoods Park is the preferred site but have also said that land at Stourpoint 5, which stands adjacent to Finepoint Industrial Park, is also said to be considered a satisfactory location.

Further detailed negotiations and site investigations in respect of both sites are expected to continue and a further phase of public consultations will also be carried out to determine residents' support for the proposed hub if it were to be based on either of the two sites.

Any final decision on whether or not to proceed with the Hub Station project is not expected to be made until a meeting of the authority in October.

A report has said that of the two potential sites, Silverwoods Park would have the least impact on average response times.

Easy access would also be gained by the congestion-busting Hoo Brook Link Road being constructed between Kidderminster and the Stourport Road.