Downham, New Cross and Woolwich fire stations set to close (From News Shopper)

Downham, New Cross and Woolwich fire stations set to close

2:37pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News By Heloise Wood

FIRE stations across the News Shopper area are set to close under proposals unveiled by the London Fire Brigade today (January 11) with 520 jobs lost.

At a meeting held at LFB headquarters this afternoon it was revealed there are plans to close 12 stations including Downham, New Cross and Woolwich.

And Orpington fire station will go from having one fire engine to two fire engines.

The draft Fifth London Safety Plan, presented by London Fire commissioner Ron Dobson, contained proposals intended to save £28.8m over the next two years while maintaining response targets.

Although it is thought 520 fire fighter and officer jobs will be lost Mr Dobson said "no compulsory redundancies were planned".

He added: "I am bracing myself for difficult discussions with the LFB Union over the next few weeks.

"However no lives will be put at risk by these changes."

London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority members will discuss the plan on January 21 and a final decision is expected to be made at the Authority meeting on June 20 following a public consultation.

More follows.