Plans for a new fire station in East Cowes have been hailed as a ‘victory for safety in the making’ and ‘common sense’ but local councillor, Karl Love.
Councillor Love has welcomed Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s (HIWFRS) planning application for a replacement station on York Avenue, which he said residents had ‘received positively’.
But the news comes at the same time that HIWFRS announces the planned closure of Bembridge and Yarmouth fire stations, as first reported by Island Echo.
HIWFRS’s plans include a station with a Response Unit and Fleet Maintenance Facility, car parking provision and landscaping.
Cllr Love has said:
“East Cowes simply cannot be without a fire and rescue station given our strategic location on a peninsula and with heavy engineering, shipbuilding and an important Island transportation gateway. We also have an active power station, a large residential population and marinas.
“Our Fire and Rescue authority eventually provided reassurances, but it was far from certain a station would be rebuilt. I worked positively with the council cabinet member responsible, Cllr Karen Lucioni, and HIWFRS, reviewing the proposal prior to submitting and giving advice. East Cowes Town Council also expressed concerns and joined the commentary to rebuild the station.”
Cllr Love, who is also the chair of the Isle of Wight Council, thanked the crew of the East Cowes station for ‘staying strong, unified and loyal to their community’.
I agree due to the location, East Cowes cannot be
without a fire station and a new station will be
greatly appreciated.
Nice to see some positive news on the island.
Fantastic, so pleased East Cowes is getting a look in.
Now just think how absolutely amazing it would be to have a bridge across from Cowes to East Cowes.
How it would ease the traffic issues, the waiting the inconvenience.
The floating bridge is just another unreliable travel option, what with the ferries and Fastcats cancelling randomly.
It would make a lot of people happy and no more wasted money on that floating money pit.