Shropshire MPs in talks to save rural fire stations from axe

Owen Paterson, Philip Dunne and Daniel Kawczynski will meet with Mr Lewis in London on November 27. Telford MP David Wright and Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard have also been invited.

The five MPs have already met to discuss ways of avoiding closing fire stations which has been suggested to help find the necessary £1.6 million that Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service needs to cut from its annual budget.

Stations in Baschurch, Clun, Prees and Hodnet could be closed under one option which could save up to £150,000 a year.

But Mr Paterson said such an idea was "completely unacceptable".

The option is one of about 60 being considered and would save the authority £150,000 a year.

Mr Paterson said: "It is completely unacceptable that fire stations in these rural areas face the possibility of closure to save just £150,000.

"The Shropshire MPs have already met to discuss this and will be meeting the Government's fire minister on November 27."

Mr Paterson's comments come after he met councillors and firefighters from in and around Baschurch and John Redmond, the chief fire officer for Shropshire, at Weston Lullingfields Village Hall on Friday.

During the behind-closed-doors meeting Mr Paterson asked people to write to him with their main concerns.

He said: "We had an excellent meeting on Friday evening organised by Baschurch Parish Council and attended by neighbouring parish councils and the chief fire officer.

"This format worked well as it will enable us to make a strong presentation to the Fire Services Minister. We are also working closely with Shropshire Council."

Dave Sheldon, chairman Baschurch Parish Council, said: "Mr Paterson seemed to be impressed with the fact that Baschurch fire station deals with road traffic accidents on the A5 between West Felton and Montford Bridge, one of the worst stretches of road in the county. He gave us some degree of optimism, informal comments he made said there is no way the stations will close and he supported our campaign."

Paul Ridgley, a retired fire officer and member of Baschurch Parish Council, said Mr Paterson said he is "fully behind trying to protect the front-line service".