JULIA WELCOMES NEWS ON FIRE STATIONS IN FALMOUTH AND CAMBORNE

11.30.00am GMT Wed 11th Feb 2009

Julia Goldsworthy MP with local firefighters

MP Julia Goldsworthy and local county councillors have welcomed an announcement from the Chief Fire Officer that plans to cut 24-hour fire cover in Falmouth and Camborne will be scrapped.

If his proposals are ratified by Cornwall County Council at a full council meeting on February 17, both stations will retain their existing "whole time" fire cover across the Falmouth and Camborne areas.

The news was warmly welcomed by Julia Goldsworthy MP, who has publicly supported the campaign to keep 24-hour cover at both stations. It was also supported by Camborne county councillors John Pope and Tony Bunce and Falmouth Parliamentary candidate Terrye Teverson.

Julia said: "It is absolutely right 24-hour cover at these stations is retained. Falmouth and Camborne are among the most densely populated areas in Cornwall, and the Camborne station also covers Hayle, which means that every minute counts when they respond to a call out.

"So it is great news that the Chief Fire Officer has confirmed that there will be no changes to the level of whole time cover in both stations. I have no doubt that this welcome decision has been made possible by the savings that a new council will generate.

"There are still many issues for Cornwall's fire service to tackle, which will be the subject of discussions when I next meet with the Chief Fire Officer, but today's announcement is a welcome step in the right direction."

Camborne county councillor John Pope said: "I am delighted because this is what we have fought for all the way along. Camborne is the biggest station in the county, and it also covers Hayle, so it is essential that it remains at full capacity. This is brilliant news."

Cllr Tony Bunce added: "This is clearly a common sense proposal. Camborne is an expanding town so the last thing we need is to downgrade our fire station."

Terrye Teverson, Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for Falmouth added: "I am very pleased that the quiet diplomacy and discussion has paid off and the Falmouth fire station full time cover is being retained.

"Clearly there will be further discussions with the new fire chief and I am out with the firemen at Falmouth fire station next Friday. I look forward to seeing and hearing about the work that is carried out by the men themselves next week."