The Commons Touch with Adam Afriyie MP
The campaign
to save Windsor fire station was dealt a blow recently when it was
decided that it would close at night.
It seems that the intention
is that our night time needs will be covered from Slough.
Whilst the
fire services anticipate that the new cover will keep response times
within the national best practice target, this is little comfort to
those whose response times may well increase.
We all know that in
an emergency,such as a fire, every second counts. The campaign was
successful in retaining Windsor fire station, but it is disappointing
that 24-hour cover will no longer be available from Windsor.
However,
the fight is not over yet! This week, the local council has formed
an action plan to try to save our station.
As well as taking legal advice,the plan proposes
writing to the Queen and scrutinising the process which resulted in
the decision to provide night cover from Slough.
We all remember the
terrible fire at Windsor Castle in 1992, and last week's tragic fire
at a hotel in Newquay serves as a timely reminder of how much we rely
on our emergency services.
The new response times will be the same
as those in Newquay, where the fire resulted in deaths, so I am deeply
concerned that the new arrangements will not put residents and properties
at risk.
I want to thank the Express newspaper, councillors and residents
for joining with me to defend Windsor residents so vigorously, and
I will continue to work those involved to ensure that the new plan
of action will be a success.
Aug 23 2007
Many thanks to the Windsor Express for permission to reproduce this article.
An Early Day Motion has been submitted to the House Of Commons