CENTRAL DEVON MP Mel Stride has welcomed the decision taken by the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority not to pursue the closure of Ashburton Fire Station. In July 2019 the authority announced it was considering operational changes, describing them as potentially the biggest shake-up in 50 years and went out to public consultation. In all future scenarios being considered, Ashburton Fire Station was earmarked for closure. Mel visited Ashburton Fire Station to meet with crew manager Don Distin and other firefighters and made a submission arguing that the station should be kept open.
He said:
“This is absolutely the right decision. Ashburton Fire Station is well positioned close to the A38 while also being in a good position to access remote communities on Dartmoor. This is a good day for our town and I’m particularly pleased for Don and the hard-working, dedicated team at the station. Public consultations are only worthwhile if the organisations conducting them truly listen to the arguments and local opinion and I’m very pleased that the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority have done just that.”
Crew Manager Don Distin added:
“I and my colleagues would like to thank Mel for his support – he responded to the proposals quickly, visited us three times to listen to our arguments and helped us to put our arguments to the authority effectively. I’m delighted our station is being kept open.”