Plans to close 10 London fire stations as part of a shake-up that could slow down response times to Redbridge emergencies have stalled.
The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) voted against proposals including the loss of 14 fire engines and of 552 firefighter jobs at a meeting yesterday.
But Boris Johnson could use his mayoral powers to force the changes through regardless.
According to fire brigade predictions, the first engine will take more than the target six minutes to arrive in 11 out of 21 wards in Redbridge, including Clayhall, where people may have to wait 8mins 18secs and Wanstead at 7mins 18secs.
The Fire Brigades’ Union, politicians and campaign groups have objected to the Draft Fifth London Safety Plan, which would save around £28.8million.
The stations earmarked for closure are Belsize in Camden, Bow in Tower Hamlets, Clerkenwell in Islington, Downham in Lewisham, Kingsland in Hackney, Knightsbridge in Kensington and Chelsea, Silvertown in Newham, Southwark, Westminster and Woolwich in Greenwich.
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