CONTROVERSIAL plans to close two fire stations and build a new single unit on green belt land could lead to longer response times, warns a Wirral MP.

Merseyside fire authority voted unanimously to approve the merger scheme when it met on Tuesday.

The proposal will see West Kirby and Upton fire stations being closed and a new purpose-built station set up in Saughall Massie.

But the move has been criticised today by Wirral West MP Margaret Greenwood, who said: "This is bad news for the people of Wirral West.

"The only two fire stations in the constituency are to close because of cuts imposed by central government on Wirral.

“This will lead to longer response times to call outs in West Kirby.

"In the event of a fire or road traffic incident, people will have to wait longer for a fire engine to arrive.

“We all hope we never have to call the fire service, but let’s be clear: the Tory cuts are whittling away at our essential services.”

Saughall Massie councillor Chris Blakeley said the fight against the scheme will be redoubled when it reaches the next hurdle of winning planning approval.

He said: “This decision had already been reached before the committee sat down today, it is no surprise at all.

“We’re disappointed but we believe we have enough ammunition to stop this invasion of our green belt when it comes through the planning process.”

The fire service says merging Upton and West Kirby fire stations will save 22 full-time firefighter posts, saving £864,000 a year.

Chief fire officer Dan Stephens told the meeting there would be no station closures if it were it up to him, but blamed Government budget cuts for forcing his hand.

Mr Stephens said: “The reality of the situation is that there was no other available site.

“As a direct result of the ongoing cuts to our budget, we can no longer afford to employ the current level of firefighters or keep all our fire stations open.

“We have had to make some very difficult decisions in order to maintain the best possible response times to life risk incidents in Merseyside in the circumstances.

“We will now submit a planning application to the council.”