Fire station to close overnight despite concerns

Plans to close a fire station overnight will go ahead.

Wallsend Fire Station will be unstaffed from 18:00 to 08:00 despite concerns from local firefighters and politicians.

More than 1,600 people signed a petition warning the change could put lives at risk if response times are delayed.

However, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) said the change would only increase response times by four seconds, and that two fire engines will be based in North Tyneside at times when Wallsend is shut.

The decision was criticised by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), while Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah raised concerns about a “devastating effect upon fire and rescue provision for the area north of the Tyne and beyond”.

The FBU said the plan was “based on a perceived demand and not the actual risk” and there is a “clear risk in Wallsend during the times it is proposed the appliance will not be available”.

However the Chief Fire Officer Peter Heath insists the proposal was based on data, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A TWFRS report revealed that firefighters in Wallsend responded to “very low numbers” of the most serious blazes overnight, amounting to fewer than 1.5 per month.

Mr Heath added that the changes were not made to try and save money, but made "sense from an effectiveness and efficiency point of view".

He said: "If I had more money, I am not sure it would change the proposal in front of you now."

Resources will instead be given to increase rope and water rescue services.

Follow BBC Newcastle on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].