PLANS to close Horton Kirby fire station will go ahead as planned, despite more than 2,500 homeowners signing a petition in objection.
Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority members voted on the proposal at a meeting this morning (February 15), with all but two voting in favour.
The decision means a new fire station will be built in New Ash Green, with the Horton Kirby station closing when the replacement is in operation.
It was October last year when the fire authority launched plans to close eight fire stations across Kent and a four month consultation followed.
A strong case was put together to save the Horton Kirby station from closing, highlighting primarily how response times to Eynsford, South Darenth and Horton Kirby would all increase.
Despite a number of protests in the past four months and a three-minute presentation from a Horton Kirby and South Darenth parish councillor at the meeting this morning, the proposed closure is set to go ahead.
The fire authority has assured there will be no redundancies when the station closes.
Elsewhere in Kent, seven other fire stations will shut by April this year.
More to follow.
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