CITY councillors will get the chance to quiz fire chiefs over plans to move York's central fire station.

A number of Labour councillors will make a visit on Monday to York Fire Station to meet with the chief fire officer Nigel Hutchinson and senior fire chiefs to discuss possible plans to relocate.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service is currently undertaking a review of its property portfolio, a review which may see the central fire station sold off and services moved to the outskirts of the city.

Labour leader Coun David Scott said: "Businesses as well as the public have indicated their concerns about the possibility of the fire station no longer existing in the city centre.

"Labour councillors, including its representatives on the Fire Authority, are seeking assurances on future plans before forming a judgement as to whether any possible move is supported.

"We remain open minded but obviously there are reservations about any plans which might jeopardise the safety of city centre buildings and the people in them."

Councillors will meet the chief fire officer to seek his views on the Government settlement to the Fire Authority for next year.

The Clifford Street fire station is based at a former chapel on a prime site, and despite two major refits some years ago the fire station is no longer fit for purpose.

The main reasons given for the move is to meet the needs of its increasing communities.

Better training facilities for fire crews and better access for community groups and businesses who use the station for safety advice are also required.

According to Graham Buckle, fire service local group manager, the risk profile of the fire service has changed as the city has grown.

He said: "A lot of our risk has moved from the city to the new Derwenthorpe housing scheme in Osbaldwick and the expansion of the University of York.

"We are also now involved with a lot more river rescue and road traffic collision work on the A19 and A64."

Mr Buckle told The Press he thought there might be a strong case for a fire station in the south of the city as there was already one in Acomb in the north-west of the city and one in the north east on the ring road in Huntington.

The Clifford Street station is crewed 24 hours a day by 52 firefighters and has two fire engines, one aerial ladder for high-level access and two rescue boats.