THE PUBLIC consultation on changes to York’s fire service provision closes on January 18.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority has said it believes the change in approach to cover in the city will maintain the benefits of a previous shake-up plan, by still improving the initial attendance times of front-line fire engines, while also reducing the cost of the project by about £1 million.

The plans include closing the Clifford Street fire station to build a replacement one on the site of a former coach park in Kent Street.

There would be only one fire engine based at Kent Street, instead of the two currently at Clifford Street.

The second engine would be relocated to Huntington fire station on the outer ring road, along with the service’s platform ladder.

Deputy chief fire officer Chris Anderson said: “Investing at Clifford Street is not a good option in comparison, as the site is too small, subject to flooding, has no training area and has a thoroughfare running through it.

“The proposed change would take away the need for a retained fire station in the south-east area of the city, as the new Kent Street location would improve turnouts to that area.

“It would also stop the threat of redundancies to the existing retained staff at Huntington.”

Visit northyorksfire.gov.uk for full details of the proposal.