Bath’s fire station on Bathwick Street is set to be demolished and replaced to modernise the city’s firefighting facilities.
Bath Fire Station on Bathwick Street | Photo © Colin Peachey / Shutterstock.com
While initial plans are being developed, Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) has said it is committed to engaging with locals to ensure the new station meets the needs of residents and the wider community.
The programme is being overseen and facilitated by a dedicated project team within the fire service and an appointed contractor, with the planning, heritage and public consultation to take place in 2025 and redevelopment to commence after that.
The plan is for the existing fire station to be demolished and during the rebuild process, Bath’s firefighters will be serving from a temporary location in the city.
Bath Fire Station welcomed Bath MP Wera Hobhouse for a visit earlier this month.
Meeting with Chief Fire Officer Simon Shilton, as well as firefighters and staff members based at the station, Mrs Hobhouse was given a tour and shown firsthand the urgent need for renovation.
Patrick Hollins, Head of Estates at AF&RS, said: “Following approval from Avon Fire Authority earlier this year, we’re pleased to begin work on redeveloping Bath Fire Station.
“We are still in the early stages of the programme and are working closely with firefighters and staff at Bath to help inform the design proposals of the new building, making sure it supports the needs of modern-day firefighting and enhances service delivery to the area.”
“As one of the Service’s oldest fire stations and based in the heart of the city, we understand the importance of having a presence at the same location and value the input of the community.
“During the consultation, and through regular updates and events, we will keep the community informed of the project’s progress and provide the opportunity for people to share their feedback.”
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Luke Gazzard said: “The new fire station will help ensure we can better serve the local community, accommodate crews and modernise this part of the Service.
“Adhering to our aim of making our communities safer and our Service stronger, the state-of-the-art facility aims to help improve response, operational efficiency and prevention work which will benefit our staff, as well as the communities we serve.”
Bath Fire Station is one of the fire service’s oldest stations, built in 1938.
The station is crewed by wholetime and on-call firefighters, and home to Business Fire Safety Officers and support staff.
