GLOUCESTER'S MP MUST SAVE TRI-SERVICE

Published on Fri 6th Jul 2007

Liberal Democrats in Gloucestershire are appealing to Gloucester's MP, Parmjit Dhanda, to save the County's TriService Fire Control at Quedgeley following his appointment as Fire Service Minister.

It was announced today that the Labour MP for Gloucester would take responsibility for the Country's Fire Service in Gordon Brown's new Government. Current Government plans will see the TriService Fire Control at Quedgeley closed down, even though it was only constructed four and a half years ago.

Cllr Jeremy Hilton, Liberal Democrat group leader on the County Council, was cabinet member for fire when the Control was opened and he has campaigned extensively to save it.

Cllr Hilton said:

"I congratulate Parmjit Dhanda on his new job and I hope he will do his best for Gloucestershire and the rest of the Country. As a local man I hope he will appreciate the many benefits enjoyed by the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service as a result of sharing its Control Centre with other emergency services and working more closely with them. It makes no sense at all to move our Fire Control Centre to Taunton as is proposed under current Government plans. As he takes over as minister for the Fire Service, I hope our local MP will do his utmost to protect our Control Centre, not to mention the safety of our community, from these rash and ill though out plans."