Telford fire station refit could go £40,000 over budget
Demolition and building work at a Telford fire station is already a month beyond deadline and could cost £40,000 more than predicted, according to a report.
The refit of Tweedale fire station in Madeley is proving to be “significantly more complex and expensive than anticipated”, documents before a Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service governance panel will say.
The project was approved in 2016-17 and was originally expected to be finished by the end of last year.
The report says work on the appliance bay door at the Bridgnorth Road station is now complete, but adds: “Demolition of the drill tower is proving to be significantly more complex and expensive than anticipated.
“Additional funding of approximately £40,000 is likely to be required if we wish to complete this element of the works.”
A drill tower is a narrow, tall building, often seen in the grounds of fire stations, used for training and exercises.
Building improvements to Wellington fire station on Haybridge Road, Arleston were signed off around the same time and also expected to be completed in December 2018, but the report authors – Chief Fire Officer Rod Hammerton and planning manager Ged Edwards – confirm these are still unfinished.
“Drill yard resurfacing and drainage works are on site and due for completion in February,” they write.
The Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Authority’s strategy and resources committee will consider the report, which also gives updates on the brigade’s other capital projects, when it meets at its Shrewsbury headquarters on Thursday.
