Delay urged in fire cover shake-up

FIRE chiefs have been urged to delay a radical shake-up of York's emergency cover amid claims the public are not convinced by the proposals.

A decision is due to be made on February 9 about the biggest overhaul of the city's fire cover in more than a decade.

But Coun Ken King, a member of York Council's Labour group and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, has raised concerns about one of two city centre appliances being moved to Huntington.

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He said: "People in York are not convinced over the current proposals and further public consultation is needed.

"It's critical for the future of the city's residents as well as its historically valuable buildings that we get this right, and that means quick response time targets are achievable for the whole city."

The brigade already has 4.9m plans approved to rebuild the existing Clifford Street fire station.

But senior fire officers now hope to agree a deal to build a new station in Kent Street, near the Barbican theatre, under revised 3.8m plans. One of the two appliances based at Clifford Street would move to Huntington station, along with the aerial ladder platform.