Pebworth Fire Station now operational
in News
Construction work on the new fire station began in June 2010 and following its recent completion, equipment was moved from the former site in Broadmarston Road to the new station last week, with the Stratford Road fire station becoming fully operational on Friday 11 March.
The new fire station is a high specification build project designed to meet the needs of the fire crews and the local community for many years to come. It includes two appliance bays fitted with rapid response doors, a drill tower, a large retention pond for water collection as well as a generous hard-standing area that can be used for both parking and training purposes.
It is also fully compliant with disability requirements under the Equality Act 2010, and has a ground source heat pump and solar PV (photovoltaic) panels to help keep future energy consumption and costs to a minimum.
Speller Metcalfe were the main contractors for the project, working in partnership with Worcestershire County Council.
Councillor Brigadier Peter Jones CBE, Chairman of Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority, said: "The decision to build this new fire station at Pebworth was based largely on the limited life cycle and projected maintenance costs for the Broadmarston Road site, and also the need to comply with several statutory regulations. The severe flooding of the former site in July 2007 was also taken into consideration.
He added: "The new fire station is at much less risk of flooding and has many other advantages, including on-site training facilities, its own drill tower and lecture room, as well as unisex changing areas. We know that firefighters will appreciate these extra facilities and will be able to offer the best service to the community as a result."
Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) added: "The completion of the new fire station is great news for Pebworth and its surrounding communities and while we look forward to the benefits it will offer, I'm sure I won't be alone in looking back with sadness to remember Pebworth's Watch Manager Gary Williams, who lost his life in a road traffic collision just a few weeks after the sod-cutting ceremony marking the start of construction at the Stratford Road site."
He confirmed that a private memorial service had been held at the new fire station in recognition of Gary's contribution to the Service.
H&WFRS is planning an official opening for the new Pebworth fire station in Stratford Road later in the year.
