This Saturday, Julie is taking to the streets of Sunderland city centre to collect signatures for the ‘Save Our Station’ campaign.

On 20^th January 2014 Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority (TWFRA) decided a schedule of cuts as part of their Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP).  These cuts could involve the closure of Sunderland Central fire station. Julie will be in Sunderland city centre with a petition against the planned closure Saturday 22nd February to collect signatures.

Julie said:

“At a further meeting of TWFRA on 17^th February, a Sunderland Councillor proposed a motion that would have removed the closure of Sunderland Central fire station as an option.  However following this, an amendment was moved by a Newcastle Councillor and as a result the situation remains virtually unchanged.  Sunderland still faces the possibility of losing its fire station, which I believe will put lives at risk.

“The future of fire service provision in the region must change as a result of the sheer scale of catastrophic central government cuts being imposed on TWFRA.  That said, it is my firm belief that Sunderland Central fire station should remain open as part of those future plans.

“We need to let TWFRA understand the strength of feeling in the community against these proposed changes and to keep our fire station open.  The Sunderland Echo has set up a petition to ‘Save Our Station’ which I wholeheartedly support and strongly urge you to add your name.

“I will be in Sunderland city centre with the petition and likeminded volunteers on Saturday.  We will be meeting at 1pm at Market Square.  If you really care about Sunderland having a city centre fire station then please make the effort to sign the petition.  Similarly, if you want to help me save our station by collecting signatures, please contact my office on 5655327.

“It is my firm belief that without mass public opposition to these plans, our station will be lost. If, as a city, we come together and oppose these changes, we can hopefully reverse this decision.”

To sign the petition online please click here.