Fire bosses grilled on Ringinglow closure

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 16th Dec 2005

South Yorkshire Fire Authority proposals to close Ringinglow Station came under the spotlight during a Sheffield City Council Scrutiny meeting yesterday. Liberal Democrats have renewed their calls to keep the station open as they believe the proposed closure is driven by finance alone.

As fire chiefs were quizzed as to why they are recommencing the closure of the site, it was revealed that the site would be sold off for housing netting officers a much needed £2.5m boost. Lib Dems on the Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board argued that the closure of Ringinglow would lead to one less pump in Sheffield and that they believed the potential £2.5m capital receipt is the main factor in the proposal.

Despite this some Labour councillors argued for the closure of the station, Cllr Joan Barton, the Labour chair of the board said "I believe whats put forward is correct and makes sense, I'm very much in favour of it". An amendment, which was broadly against the closure of Ringinglow, was voted down by Labour councillors at the meeting.

Cllr Diane Leek, Liberal Democrat member on the Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board, said: -

"Its clear to me that the main driver behind the proposal is the fact the Ringinglow site can be sold off for in excess of £2.5m. I believe the station should remain open and that the local area, plus the rest of Sheffield, should not have to suffer a reduction in fire coverage"

"I was disappointed to hear Labour councillors arguing for the closure of the site. Because the amendment didn't receive enough support it fell, and the scrutiny board lost the opportunity to register is objection to these plans. Given the fire engine at Ringinglow is a resource for the whole of Sheffield I'm surprised the amendment against the closure couldn't get universal support"

"Its also clear that since the last time the proposal to close Ringinglow was refused two years ago, nothing has changed. I can see no good reason why the Fire Authority should change its original ruling, and for the sake of Sheffield I hope they don't"