Maidenhead & Windsor

The Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough is “bitterly disappointed” at the decision of the Berkshire Fire Authority to axe night-time cover at Windsor Fire Station from next year – and has pledged to continue the fight for a round-the-clock service for its residents.

The fire authority on Wednesday voted to cut staffing at the fire station between 8pm and 8am as part of its Integrated Risk Management Plan – a move which will come into effect some time next year and which the Royal Borough has strongly opposed in recent months.

The meeting resolved that the twelve-hour night service will be provided by firefighters from Slough, halving the current staffing levels at Windsor.

Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough councillors have spoken out against the decision – and vowed to work to find an alternative solution.

Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr David Burbage, council leader, said: “We are still committed to fighting for a 24-hour service at Windsor fire station for our residents, and will do all we can to work towards an alternative solution.

“Windsor is the home of Windsor Castle as well as being home to many army families with soldiers stationed at the two barracks in the town. For these and all our other residents we firmly believe that this is the wrong decision, and we will continue to investigate every avenue to maintain round-the-clock cover at Windsor fire station.”

Cllr Christine Bateson, a borough representative on the Berkshire Fire Authority, attended Wednesday’s meeting. She said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to the many Windsor residents who came along to put their strong case for retaining night-time cover.

“The Royal Borough has worked long and hard to persuade the fire authority that Windsor needs its own 24-hour service and will continue to do so.

“We need to find a solution that enables the growing needs of Wokingham to be met while still providing 24-hour cover from Windsor fire station.”

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead