Plans revealed for new fire station in Birkenhead

Jun 5 2010 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Echo

PLANS to demolish Birkenhead’s fire station and replace it have been submitted to Wirral Council.

The proposals are part of wide-ranging proposals to build 16 new stations across the North West, with work already due to start later this year at Kirkdale.

In Birkenhead the council is being asked to approve Merseyside Fire authority’s plan to replace the building in Exmouth Street with a Community Fire Station.

According to the application submitted to Wirral Council: “Not only must the Authorities provide a base to respond from, they also need to engage with the community to educate and advise people on fire safety.

“This means that the facilities now need a strong public ‘face’ that is welcoming and accessible to all.”

Balfour Beatty Fire and Rescue has been chosen as the developer to build the 16 fire stations and work in Kirkdale is due to start in November.

The consortium won the tendering process for the UK Fire Service’s biggest Private Finance Initiative, which will build seven stations in Merseyside, five in Cumbria and four in Lancashire.

No date has yet been set for hearing the planning application for the Birkenhead station.