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News Release: 12 Fire Stations, 18 Fire Engines and 400 FireFighters to be cut in London

11 January 2013

Today it was announced that Boris Johnson will close 12 fire stations across London. The list of closures was revealed by the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA). The stations are spread across London and include Belsize in Camden, Bow in Tower Hamlets and Westminster.

The London Fire Brigade's budget has been cut by the Mayor and government by £45 million over the next two years. Even after the 12 stations, 18 fire appliances and 400 firefighters have been cut the Mayor and LFEPA will still have to find over £5 million of cuts. On average it costs £1.4 million to run a one fire engine station.

The fire stations listed for closure are:
Belsize in Camden
Bow in Tower Hamlets
Clapham in Lambeth
Clerkenwell in Islington
Downham in Lewisham
Kingsland in Hackney
Knightsbridge in Kensington & Chelsea
New Cross in Lewisham
Silvertown in Newham
Southwark
Westminster
Woolwich in Greenwich

In addition the following stations will lose one of their two fire engines: Chelsea, Chingford, Hayes, Leyton, Leytonstone, Peckham and Whitechapel.

Labour London Assembly Fire spokesperson Navin Shah AM said:
“London’s fire brigade is facing a crisis, today we found out we will lose 12 fire stations, 18 fire engines and 400 firefighters. This will reduce fire cover in London, these cuts will put the safety and security of Londoners at risk.

“How can cutting 12 of our fire stations, 18 fire engines and 400 firefighters be in the best interest of Londoners? The London Fire Brigade and their dedicated staff do a fantastic job keeping us safe and helping us when we need it most. The government are cutting too far and too fast, hitting the frontline and fundamentally undermining the ability of the fire brigade to do their job. It’s time that the Mayor stood up for Londoners and got a better deal from central government.
“We understand that savings have to be made, but the level of cuts forced on the London Fire Brigade by the Mayor and government are truly reckless. Boris’s cuts are hitting front-line services and putting public safety at risk.”

Ends