Town centre fire stations "face axe"

Town centre fire stations are reportedly set to be replaced with new ones built near motorways and council estates.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's modernisation plans were expected to cut the number of stations as well as firefighters.

They are bitterly opposed by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) which is also arguing against changes to shift systems which will mean fewer crews available at night.

But Mr Prescott will ask the 58 fire authorities to draw up risk assessment plans within the next six months showing when and where most fires and traffic accidents take place, The Times says.

A spokeswoman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister refused to comment on the detail of the Government plans before they are officially published.

But a source told the paper: "The aim is to shift resources to where there is greatest risk of life, rather than risk of building damage."

Ministers insist the firefighting force can be slimmed down through "natural wastage" from the service.

Details of the plan to move many fire stations to out of town came as talks aimed at resolving the bitter dispute due to resume.

FBU leaders met for more than five-and-a-half hours with local authority employers on Thursday at the head office of the conciliation service Acas.

Neither side would make any comment as they left but Acas said the talks would continue on Friday.

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