Fire chiefs try to quell 'risk' fears

Critics claimed that lives would be at risk if Pudsey and Bramley stations merged as part of a radical shake-up of the service.

But Councillor Lawrence Conlon, chairman of the West Yorkshire Fire Authority, said that the proposals were in the very early stages and had been well thought out.

"There's a lot of misinformation around and we wanted to set the record straight," he said.

"These proposals have been drawn up by professional fire officers and are designed to give the best cover possible for the area.

"They are not politically motivated and are the result of data collected over many years as to where the greatest risk to life occurs."

He issued a joint party statement along with Councillor Graham Kirkland (Lib Dem) and Councillor Brian Hazell (Con) who are also members of the West Yorkshire Fire Authority.

But the statement has incensed Pudsey Conservative councillor Andrew Carter.

"Are they seriously suggesting Pudsey folk don't have the right to disagree with them?" he said.

"We were promised consultation - there has been none. Over the whole period they have failed to justify how the loss of a fire appliance is not going to lead to a reduction in cover.

"Pudsey people are not going to back down on this issue and I'm horrified with the way it has been handled."

Fire chiefs are proposing to build a £2.5million fire station in Bradford to replace the present Nelson Street base.

The move could result in the closure of Pudsey and Bramley stations with their operations transferred to a new station in Stanningley.

A fire brigade spokesman said the authority wanted to reassure people that the proposals were designed to improve cover and would not lead to a worse service.

"If we proposed that Pudsey Fire Station might have to close then we would also have to have a period of public consultation."

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