WREXHAM'S MP has criticised the consultation proposals by the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority on the future provision of emergency cover for the area.

Two out of the three consultation options, as part of the Fire Authority’s Emergency Cover Review, propose removing Wrexham’s third fire appliance (i.e. fire engine). 

That would see one appliance staffed by full-time firefighters and one retained appliance staffed by on-call firefighters.

Mrs Atherton has slammed the plans, describing them as unacceptable for an area the size of Wrexham, which, as Wales’ newest city, has plans for expansion – both in terms of domestic homes and businesses.

Wrexham, as the largest urban settlement in North Wales, covers an area of almost 200 square miles, consisting of a city centre and surrounding communities which are home to approximately 140,000 residents.

It also has one of the largest industrial estates in Europe which contains over 340 businesses and employs over 10,000 people.

The whole area is served primarily by Wrexham Fire Station and its three appliances, which currently attend 1,572 callouts a year – more than five incidents a day.

The Leader: Sarah Atherton MPSarah Atherton MP

In a public letter to the chief executive of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, which formed part of her own response to the consultation, Mrs Atherton wrote: “Fire and Rescue services in Wales are devolved to the Welsh Government in Cardiff. The first and most important duty of any government is to keep its citizens safe.

"Therefore, I would suggest that it is the responsibility of the Welsh Government to step up and provide the funding necessary to maintain Wrexham’s current level of fire service provision – particularly as the UK Government recently delivered the largest annual funding settlement to Wales since devolution, providing a record £18 billion per year to the Welsh Government – around £1.20 for every £1 spent in England.”

Mrs Atherton is now urging other Wrexham residents to make their voices heard and respond to the consultation here.

She added: “I am worried that Wrexham is, once again, bearing the brunt of the Welsh Government in Cardiff Bay’s decision to underfund North Wales and treat us as an afterthought, instead of addressing the North-South funding disparity which led to the same proposals being made in 2016.

"Clearly, Wrexham is repeatedly being targeted, and residents will feel threatened by these potential cuts yet again. This cannot keep happening.

"Cities of a similar size in England, such as Preston, are served by two wholetime fire engines as well as other resources, like a Major Rescue Unit. Indeed, Newport in South Wales is served by three fire stations – each operating a wholetime service. I cannot understand why North Wales is losing out again.

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“I sincerely hope that North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority take the views of the people of Wrexham into account, realise that these proposals are unworkable, and retain our current fire service provision.

"As there are bold proposals underway to grow the city of Wrexham, I am finding it difficult to comprehend how slashing coverage can be an option. As Wrexham grows as a city, so should its fire service!”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Fire and Rescue Authorities in Wales determine their own budgets, which are funded by contributions they levy on local authorities – the Welsh Government has no role in this process.

“In this case it is up to North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority to set a budget and make decisions that flow from that.

“Funding for fire and rescue services in Wales remains around 25% higher per capita than is the case in England.”