Bloxwich Fire Station could be rebuilt on site of bank
Bloxwich Fire Station could be rebuilt under new plans which have been unveiled.
New proposals drawn up by West Midlands Fire Service would see a former bank which is on the site of the current base on the High Street either revamped and sold off, used as a training base or bulldozed.
If the site is cleared then it could provide an 'opportunity' to see the current station rebuilt.
The move is part of a review of the buildings owned by the fire service which would see firefighters' training take place at stations or in the community instead.
A report on the issue stated if the bank site was knocked down it may create an opportunity to build a new station and sell the existing station plot which is on land behind the bank.
Fire authority member and Walsall councillor Keith Chambers said fire chiefs were looking at selling off the bank site and said no decision had been taken over whether the main station would be rebuilt.
He added: "This building is not serving any purpose at all. It is a good decision to dispose of it to generate capital receipts.
"We've agreed in principle to dispose of the bank. Over a period of time there will be a business case about the priorities of trying to bring all the fire stations up to a decent standard.
"The recent re-development of Walsall Fire Station making it fit for purpose has really worked well. At Bloxwich I know the gym where the officers train, for example, is not as good as elsewhere. However, this is not being seen as a particular priority due to the needs of sites elsewhere across the brigade where investment is also needed."
The fire service's Government grant has been cut by £21million and at a meeting of the fire authority yesterday moves to sell or rent its training academy, in Dartmouth Road, Smethwick were agreed meaning firefighters will in future be trained at stations or in the community.
Chief Fire Officer Phil Loach told the fire authority meeting: "Our aim is to provide strong training for our staff. We want to distribute facilities by moving away from one central location by having sites across the brigade's area, whilst responding to incidents and retaining the attendance standard."
The service also wants to rebuild fire stations in Aston, Kings Norton, both in Birmingham, along with Coventry and Bickenhill near Solihull.
Members approved the proposals subject to a detailed business plan being submitted.
