WORK has officially begun on a 10 month project to build Evesham’s brand new Fire Station as the first spade is put in the ground.
A sod-cutting ceremony was held this morning (Monday) to celebrate the start of the building work, with Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates breaking the first soil.
The new station, which will be based near Evesham Leisure Centre off Abbey Road, will house three fire engine bays and a state-of-the-art training facility, which is due to open in November this year.
Once the station is operational, the existing 50-year-old station will be demolished to make way for a £10million Waitrose store as part of Wychavon’s District Council’s town redevelopment project. Council chiefs are handing over £3million to help pay for the new fire station.
Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates said: “The current station is more than 50 years old and will require significant maintenance costs in the coming years.
“The new station will be far more efficient and have much lower maintenance costs, which consequently will result in considerable savings for the organisation.”
“We are delighted that work on the new fire station has now begun. This is fantastic news not only for the Service, but also for the residents of Evesham, who will soon be getting a purpose-built, modern fire station that will help Firefighters train and respond in the best way possible.”
Chairman of the Fire Authority Derek Prodger MBE said: “I am thrilled that we can support Wychavon Council’s attempts to boost the economic vitality of the town and, meanwhile, the Service will get a brand new fire station and training facility.
“I very much look forward to the completion of the project at the end of the year.”
Coun Linda Robinson, Leader of Wychavon District Council, said: “We’re delighted to be playing a part in providing a modern station for our Firefighters as well as creating the space to bring Waitrose to Evesham, which will provide a major boost to the town centre.”
