Wheels turn on Aintree fire station project
Dubbed as a ‘super-station’ by Merseyside Fire and Rescue, the facility would be constructed on 12 acres off Long Lane.
The project would see the merging of existing stations in Aintree and Croxteth into one 53,000 sq ft complex next to Liver Industrial Estate.
The existing fire stations would close. The Aintree site opened in 1926, while the Croxteth station has been operational since the 1960s.
Architect Ryder has lodged a scoping opinion for the project to Liverpool City Council. This is aimed at establishing whether or not an environmental impact statement should be submitted alongside a planning application.
The scheme, to be constructed by Wates, would comprise a four-bay fire station, and four-storey training tower. Additional facilities include a six-storey tactical training building and a two-storey harzardous materials and urban search and rescue training area.
The facility would provide the central location for the provision of operational training to front line firefighting crews across Merseyside Fire and Rescue authority.
The existing training centre is at Croxteth fire station on Storrington Lane.
I recently took the time to look at the 2 fire stations and in these times of austerity and budget cuts I wonder if this is the best way forward. Would not the money be better spent on hiring more firefighters and protecting the rate payers of Merseyside.
By Harpo