A SECOND 12-week public consultation on plans to merge fire stations in West Wirral has begun.

The exercise, which ends on May 18, will consider two options.

On the table is a proposal to close West Kirby and Upton fire stations and merge them at a new station in Saughall Massie Road, Upton. The other option is the outright closure of West Kirby.

Throughout the consultation, the public will be invited to suggest suitable alternative options for fire authority budget savings.

The outcomes of the consultation will be reported back to the Authority for a definitive decision in June.

Over the last four years the Authority has had to make savings of £20 million as a result of Government Grant cuts. A further saving of £6.3 million is needed by the end of 2015/16.

The consultation process will involve public meetings at locations in Saughall Massie, Upton and West Kirby, a stakeholders' meeting at Hoylake, three focus groups and a joint forum.

A consultation document is being distributed in public buildings, local stores and businesses across West Wirral.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority held a 12-week consultation on the proposed the closure of West Kirby and Upton fire stations and the building of a new station in Greasby but, following opposition from residents, the site was withdrawn by Wirral Council.

Chief Fire Officer Dan Stephen said: “We have to make structural changes to emergency response cover across Merseyside in order to deliver the savings required following the confirmation of further Government Grant cuts.

"A merger has already been agreed in Knowsley, a second merger is proposed in St Helens and, following consultation, the Fire and Rescue Authority has confirmed the closure of Allerton Fire Station in Liverpool.

"I am of the view that a merger in West Wirral would deliver a less impactive operational outcome than the outright closure of West Kirby or any other option open to the Authority."

The public meetings will be held on the following dates:

  • Monday, April 20: starting at 6.30pm at the St Mary’s Centre, 127 Saughall Massie Road, starting at 6.30pm.
  • Tuesday, April 28: at Holy Cross Church community rooms, Woodchurch, starting at 6.30pm.
  • Tuesday, May 5: at Hoylake Community Centre, The Parade, Hoyle Road, Hoylake, starting at 6.30pm.

A public consultation document can be downloaded from www.merseyfire.gov.uk/aspx/pages/opsResponse/pdf/WIRRAL_CONSULTATION_DOCUMENT_2015.pdf along with an online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/saughall_massie

You can email the fire authority at consultation2@merseyfire.gov.uk or write to: Wirral Consultation, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Bridle Road, Bootle, L30 4YD.