Plans for new 'blue light' centre for Redditch emergency services - The Redditch Standard

Plans for new 'blue light' centre for Redditch emergency services

Redditch Editorial 28th Jan, 2021   0

PLANS are under way to build a new ‘blue light hub’ to serve both Redditch police and the town’s firefighters.

Redditch Fire Station was identified for replacement in 2010 and the police station, located centrally in Redditch, is said to have reached the ‘end of its serviceable life’ and needs replacing or major refurbishment.

The hub is expected be built on land on Middle House Lane, between the Sainsbury’s island and the traffic lights on Windsor Road, close to where the current fire station is.

The land, owned jointly by Worcestershire County Council, Redditch Borough Council and the Fire Service, has been identified as an ideal location with the project expected to take three years to complete.




The prediction is that the land available is large enough to also take a number of council houses on it too.

This would leave the site of the existing police station in Grove Street free for redevelopment as part of the Towns Fund bid, with £1million set aside to facilitate this.


Councillor Tom Baker-Price (Con, Headless Cross and Oakenshaw) told a full council meeting on Monday, January 25: “The fire and police stations are sub-par, they don’t serve a modern fire service or modern police force.

“As much as they were good when they were built originally, they are no longer fit for purpose and need replacing.

“They are also riddled with asbestos.”

Councillor Michael Chalk (Con, Abbey) raised concerns over ‘knocking down’ buildings which are ‘no more than 50-years-old’, saying he hoped the new hub would last longer.

But deputy leader of the council, Coun Mike Rouse (Con, Church Hill) said every building in the post World War ll period had a certain lifespan.

Subscribe

Receive a weekly update to your inbox by signing up to our weekly newsletter.

Advertising

Advertise with the Redditch Standard to reach your audience

Business Directory

From plumbers, to restaurants, we can provide you with all the info you need.

Public Notices

View and download all of the public notices in the Redditch Standard.