CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save their fire stations from closure are celebrating victory as council officials performed a dramatic U-turn.

Cumbria County Council had wanted to close five part-time fire stations, including the one on Walney.

The move was estimated to save the cash-strapped authority £438,000 a year as it seeks to balance the books in the face of unprecedented cuts from central government.

The announcement - part of the council's wider plans to slash £76m from its budget over the next three years - was met by ferocious opposition from locals who feared their safety would have been put at risk. 

An online petition to save the relocation of the Walney pump to Barrow station had attracted more than 1,600 signatures. 

However, in a late change of direction, the council's ruling cabinet yesterday decided the closures should be scrapped.

But a warning was given that the savings must be found elsewhere. 


Barry Doughty Speaking at the meeting in Carlisle, Dalton-based Labour councillor Barry Doughty, who holds the authority's brief for fire and rescue, said: "Following the recent floods and also, the announcement by Theresa May MP regarding the movement of government responsibilities relating to fire and rescue services from the Department of Communities and Local Government to the Home Office, I am recommending that now is not the right time to consider these closures given the uncertainties ahead. 

"To be clear, I am therefore recommending that the closures of four stations, the relocation of the Walney on-call fire engine to Barrow fire station and the removal of the second on-call fire engine from Maryport will not be taken forward." 

The move was agreed by the rest of the cabinet members. 

Thousands of people across Cumbria signed petitions and took part in marches in other parts of the county since the move was first mooted last autumn. 

Councillor Ian Stewart said: "It's always the case that there are certain things that energise people - and people have been energised. 

"We as an organisation listen to people's views." 

The authority now looks likely to dip into its cash reserves to make sure it meets its savings targets for the next financial year.
Tony Callister

Barrow Fire Brigade Union rep Tony Callister was speechless when he heard the news.

Mr Callister said: "Blimey. I didn't expect that news at all. I'm speechless. 

"This is great news for the guys on Walney and the people of Walney."

Walney crew manager Mike Wilkinson said he had felt "massive relief" on hearing the news.

He added: "Thankfully they have made the right decision."

The leader of the opposition Conservative group on the council, Councillor James Airey, labelled the U-turn "embarrassing". 

He said: "Now that the Cumbrian people have spoken out, petitions have been signed and firefighters have spoken up, the administration has finally listened under pressure. 

"I knew this would be the result if we shouted loud enough.

"The Labour-Lib Dem administration should never have put this forward, but I’m pleased that the obvious fractions in the Labour and Lib Dem coalition have meant they’ve weakened and have had to take an embarrassing U-turn in their proposals.

"The people of Cumbria now need a promise from the administration that our fire stations will not be threatened again and that they are saved for the long term not just this year."

Councillor Melvyn Worth, who represents Walney North on the county council, saod: "I am very pleased indeed that, having consulted the public on the budget proposals, the cabinet have decided not to recommend the closure of the five fire stations to council.

"The government’s announcement of their intention to merge the emergency services under the police and crime commissioner obviously has had some influence in their decision

"I had sought to persuade colleagues over recent weeks that the closure of Walney station was not in the best interest of residents and would have continued the fight up to the council meeting.

"However, with £200m of budget cuts imposed by government it still means that savings will have to be made in other areas."

South Walney county councillor Frank Cassidy said: “Council finances are being squeezed to the absolute limit by government cuts and I know there has been a lot of soul-searching by a lot of people over this issue. 

“Everyone I spoke to on Walney and in Barrow said they wanted the fire station to stay open. 

"The council has listened to everyone’s concerns and the right decision has been taken. 

“But relentless government cuts to our budget still have to be grappled with and that means there will be other hard choices to be faced. 

"There is no more meat left on the bone and other front-line services are vulnerable.”

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said: “There will be widespread relief that Cumbria County Council has taken the right decision over this issue and credit is due to the councillors who have listened to the concerns of residents and to campaigners who have fought to keep the station open.

“Government spending cuts are hitting public services on an unprecedented scale which is presenting local authorities with very difficult choices.

“But safety from fire is non-negotiable and the incredible efforts of Cumbria firefighters during the flooding has highlighted the essential role they play in our community.”