Protest at fire station downgrade

The protesters do not want cover at Balmossie to be cut

Campaigners opposing plans to downgrade a fire station in Dundee have said they are "extremely buoyed" by the turnout at a protest against the cuts.

Tayside Fire and Rescue bosses are proposing removing the night-time crew at Balmossie and providing overnight cover with part-time firefighters.

Retired firefighter Eddie Thomson said 500 people attended Saturday's march and rally protesting against the cuts.

The fire service said the plans would provide a better service in the area.

It said downgrading Balmossie would free up an extra day crew for Perth and Forfar.

The Fire Brigades Union has welcomed additional resources for Perth and Forfar, but claimed that people and businesses in the area which Balmossie serves would be put in danger.

It has been holding public information meetings and collecting signatures for petitions around Monifieth, Broughty Ferry and Barnhill.

We underestimated the amount of people who would turn up for the march Eddie Thomson Retired firefighter

Mr Thomson is leading the campaign to stop the Balmossie cuts.

He said: "We know that more people are killed at night and fire deaths are up in Scotland.

"If this station goes part-time the men will have to drive from their houses to the fire station to get on the fire engine and then go to the fire.

"It's going to take longer to get a fire engine to their house, or their building or wherever the fire is."

The march set off from Balmossie fire station, accompanied by the Mains of Fintry Pipe Band.

The protesters walked to St Aidan's Hall in Broughty Ferry for the mass rally.

'Best use'

Mr Thomson believes the public is on their side.

"We underestimated the amount of people who would turn up for the march, especially with it coming up to Christmas," he said.

"The whole area is pretty hostile [to the changes], we've had overwhelming support.

"We are really hoping that Chief Fire Officer Hunter, in his wisdom, will listen to the firefighters that are fighting the campaign, the fire brigades union and also the local people who are outraged at this attempt to downgrade the fire engine."

Alasdair Hay, deputy chief fire officer, said: "Tayside Fire and Rescue have a proposal out for consultation in relation to the best use of the organisation's resources to drive down risk and provide an appropriate level of operational response to all the communities across Tayside.

"We are disappointed by the Fire Brigades Union's response to this proposal but recognise their right, and the wider public's right, to voice their opinion in any manner they deem appropriate."