PROPOSALS to close Painswick Fire Station have been condemned as ‘dangerous’ by union leaders.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is considering closing the station, with cover coming from Stroud, as well as downgrading the service in Cirencester.

The proposals are part of a plan to cut budgets by £2 million over three years.

They were published by the county fire service in a consultation document called Fire and Rescue: Future Service Provision.

The report said the proposal would “significantly reduce cost whilst still maintaining the existing standards of service".

A public consultation will be carried out over the coming months.

However, the Fire Brigades Union reacted with anger, calling the announcement ‘dangerous’ and ‘disgraceful’.

Tam McFarlane, union rep for the South West, said: “These proposals would compromise the safety of the public and firefighters in Gloucestershire.

“They are short-sighted, dangerous and put budget cuts in front of public safety.

“If the cuts go ahead they would compromise the safety of people not just in Painswick and Cirencester but also in the surrounding areas.”

Scott Turner, FBU rep for Gloucestershire, said: “These plans are disgraceful and show the potential consequences that budget cuts have on public safety.

“Firefighters in Gloucestershire utterly condemn these proposals and we will be demanding that politicians reject them and instead, invest in our service.”

Painswick Fire Station currently costs £52,282 a year to run, with future replacement costs for a fully equipped fire engine and protective clothing in excess of £242,844.

The report said Painswick had been identified as a ‘low activity, low risk area’ with ever decreasing demand in terms of emergency response, and follows a six per cent reduction in incidents over the last five years.

GFRS added that it was committed to reducing risk and delivering additional prevention and protection activities in Painswick and the surrounding communities.

“We will do this by reinvestment in enhanced prevention and protection measures to further promote and increase the safety of the community of Painswick. Emergency response cover for Painswick can be provided from either Stroud or Gloucester by full time fire fighters,” it said.

“If we close Painswick Fire Station, post implementation we will continually monitor and review performance to ensure that prevention and protection measures are working and that emergency response remains at all times within acceptable levels.

Gloucestershire chief fire officer Stewart Edgar said: “The changes we’re suggesting do not mean that areas of the county will be left without emergency response cover by the service, far from it.

“By maintaining our focus on prevention and protection initiatives we will continue to reduce the risks to the public in these areas. However, we will still be able to offer a first class emergency response.”

A 12 week consultation runs until January 4.

A number of drop in events have been organised, full details at www.glosfire.gov.uk

Comments can also be made at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/consultglosfire