Station is saved!

RETFORD Fire Station has been saved and will remain a whole-time service 24 hours a day.

The announcement came after a lengthy campaign to keep the whole-time crews in the evening from being sent to Worksop and Retford being reduced to a retained crew.

Bassetlaw Council gave its backing to ‘deplore’ Notts Fire Authority’s money saving proposals in October.

Chair of the authority Darrell Pulk said Friday’s decision was thought out after opposition to the original plans across the county.

“Fire stations are very precious to local people but most of those we spoke to during consultation understood the reasons behind the proposals and supported them,” he said.

“Our job is to take decisions based on risk.”

“Within this review we are upgrading a fire station and enhancing cover in the north of the county which, during these times of economic pressure, emphasises our commitment to providing a first class service during difficult times.”

Worksop will benefit from additional whole-time cover 12 hours a day, whereas Edwinstowe will be upgraded from retained to wholetime.

Bassetlaw councillor Ian Campbell was ‘over the moon’ with the Fire Authority’s decision.

“We fought a lengthy campaign and made sure that the voices of Retford residents were taken directly to the Fire Authority,” he said.

“It is often said that we are the forgotten north within the county, well we certainly won’t be forgotten anymore. Anyone prepared to take away a vital service in Retford and indeed Bassetlaw, needs to watch out, because we won’t let it happen.”