MP to look at station closure

HENLEY MP Freddie van Mierlo has said closing Henley fire station could be justified, as long as there is not a negative effect on response times.

The on-call station in West Street is one of three which has been earmarked for closure due to “persistently low” fire engine availability. Oxfordshire County Council is carrying out a consultation, which may also see Woodstock and Eynsham stations axed.

Mr van Mierlo claims
35 per cent of fire engines in the county are idle at peak times, including in Henley, where availability during the day is nine per cent.

He said: “Most often, we are already served by full-time fire crews in Reading and elsewhere in the county, rather than the few on-call firefighters stationed in the town.

“I want to see response times come down and these proposals say this will happen by one minute and 23 seconds for South Oxfordshire, while staying the same for Henley.

“Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue has an outstanding reputation and it’s a good thing that they are consulting on proposals that aim to make better use of resources.

“I will be interrogating the detail as part of the consultation and encourage everyone to do so as well.”

Meanwhile, more than 1,500 people have signed a government petition to save the Henley station.

David Morris-Puttock started it out of concern for the safety and welfare of the community.

He said: “The fire station serves as a lifeline for us all, providing crucial emergency response to fires, accidents and other emergencies.

“Without it, response times will inevitably increase as the nearest stations are miles away. Delays could lead to greater destruction of property, and more importantly, a tragic loss of life.

“Maintaining this station is not simply a logistic or financial matter but a critical necessity for ensuring our town’s security.”

Jo McDonagh, who lives in Henley, said having no fire station could risk fatalities.

She added: “The time for other crews to get to Henley is a minimum of 15 minutes, be it Reading or Maidenhead. By that time, anything could happen.”

A meeting to discuss the potential closure of Henley fire station will take place on December 3 from 12.30pm to 2pm. To attend and take part in the consultation, visit tinyurl.com/384apf5a

To sign the petition, visit tinyurl.com/3nad35y9