Plans for fire station approved

A new community fire station is to be built in Gloucestershire.

County planners gave the go-ahead for the station at Uckington which will help firefighters meet their eight-minute emergency response time.

Plans for stations at Elmbridge Court and another in Quedgeley have already been approved, as have plans to rebuild Cheltenham's Keynsham Road station.

Chief fire officer, Terry Standing, said the project was a significant investment for community safety.

'Interactive facility'

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is also planning to build a community life skills centre in Gloucester, which will be used to educate young vulnerable people about living safely.

The aim is to create an interactive facility for schools, community and business groups and members of the public.

It is anticipated all of the new fire stations and the life skills centre will be completed and open for business by early 2010.

The project will be funded through a private finance initiative.