Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Local MP Chris McCafferty has voiced her concern over the decision by West Yorkshire Fire Authority to close Mytholmroyd Fire Station.

During the consultation, Chris made it clear that she could only support a move to a single station serving Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge if this involved creating a new station on a site that gave good access to both communities.

Chris told the Hebden Bridge Web: "I am very concerned about the decision, and angered that the views of local people have had so little influence in this process. I am concerned that there is a firm decision to close Mytholmroyd station, but little more than a promise to look at a possible site for a new station that can serve both communities.

"There is also no clear commitment to make sure that any new site should be on the Mytholmroyd side of the Hebden Bridge centre, which I believe to be vital given the potential traffic bottle necks within Hebden Bridge.

"I believe that the closure of Mytholmroyd station should not have been agreed until an alternative site had not only been identified, but also until funding was in place and work ready to start. I will be seeking urgent assurances from the Fire Authority about their commitment to provide a new station, and will be raising this issue with them regularly until appropriate plans are in place."

See also: Mytholmroyd Fire Station
Appeal for help to stop closure
Saturday, November 26, 2005

And news item from August below

Monday 12th August 2005

Calder Valley MP Chris McCafferty today said that proposals by the West Yorkshire Fire Authority to close the Mytholmroyd fire station, leaving the area to be covered from the existing Hebden Bridge station, confirmed her worst fears.

Earlier in the summer, the MP met with senior figures from West Yorkshire Fire Authority. The meeting led to her warning that she had serious doubts over their future plans for fire cover.

Chris said: "I have already made it clear that I will oppose the closure of Mytholmroyd fire station unless it is part of a plan to create a new station which could guarantee better coverage for both Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd than the existing station.

"The proposals in this year's 'Integrated Risk Management Plan' are worse for the Upper Valley than last year's proposals, which were withdrawn.

"With the traffic conditions and problems that can occur along the A646, I do not believe there is any way that either of the current stations alone could provide adequate fire cover in the Calder Valley.

"I will be urging everyone in the Upper Valley area to have their say about these proposals. I am concerned that the Fire Authority has in effect already made the decision, as it seems that there has already been a freeze on recruitment in Mytholmroyd. But I will be doing everything I can to spell out the dangers that are being created. It will be the case, if this proposal goes ahead, that in the event of a problem in the centre of Hebden, people in the Mytholmroyd area will be wholly dependent on Halifax fire station for assistance.

"We now have three months of consultation to try to change minds at the Fire Authority, and it is essential everyone speaks out."

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