Have Your Say - Just One Fire Engine for Epsom?

Epsom could have just one fire engine based in Church Street from summer 2014, according to plans announced by Surrey Fire and Rescue Authority. A public consultation began on 10th December, ends on 1st February and could see Surrey County Council approve the proposals on 26th February 2013 at its Cabinet meeting.

Liberal Democrat councillors tabled an Emergency Motion to Epsom & Ewell Borough Council meeting on 11th December, asking for a response to be made to the consultation by the deadline. The Motion was necessary because there is not another council meeting before 1st February when the consultation ends. It was agreed that council group leaders will discuss the matter with their colleagues and that the Chief Executive would coordinate the response.

The consultation can be viewed on line www.surrey-fire.gov.uk/psp. One of the key documents is the Epsom & Ewell Factsheet. This says "... there would be a change to the availability of the fire engines based at Epsom. Currently there are two fire engines ... to provide an immediate response 24 hours a day. Our proposal is to base only one fire engine at Epsom and base a second fire engine at a new location in the Burgh Heath area ..."

Residents, associations and local organisations are urged to look at the fine detail and respond to the consultation with their views.