7:50am Monday 6th July 2009
By Scott Mullins
A FIRE station is set for a rebuild after the Government gave the green light to a huge modernisation programme.
Orpington fire station is more than 50 years old and will be replaced with a purpose-built community station on the same site in Avalon Road.
The station will be built under a private finance initiative and will see the London Fire Brigade receive £57 million to make major improvements to nine of its stations including Orpington, Dagenham, Dockhead and Leytonstone.
Bromley borough commander Andy Holcombe said: “The existing station has served the community well but the fire service has changed over the years and our facilities need to support this.
"We now use more advanced equipment and training techniques which require the best facilities available - the new station will provide this."
He added: "The new station will have the potential to house two fire engines. It will also feature an area where we can meet local people and pass on safety advice that could save lives.”
The London Fire Brigade says work on the fire station will not affect its service to the local community.
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