5 Oxfordshire fire stations saved in dramatic U-turn

A campaign, led by the Fire Brigades Union under the banner ‘Cuts Kill’, opposed Oxfordshire County Council plans to close Eynsham, Woodstock, and Henley fire stations, and merge others.

Five fire stations were to close, with up to 42 firefighters axed as part of the proposals.

READ MORE: Firefighters vote in favour of strike action

But council leaders have now issued a statement saying the station closures are no longer going ahead – Eynsham, Henley and Woodstock stations will no longer close.

And plans to replace Kidlington and Rewley Road (Oxford) stations with a new station in North Oxford are on hold.

An Oxfordshire Fire Service fire engine (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

The council said proposals relating to the building of a new fire station north of Oxford “will require further work before any decisions are made”.

It added: “While the long‑term potential remains, the proposal is being paused for now due to uncertainty around developer negotiations and the need for further engagement.

“This means the city’s existing Rewley Road Fire Station and its allocation of fire engines will remain for the time being. No timeframe has been finalised for a future decision.

“The specialist fire and rescue vehicle based at Kidlington Fire Station will remain in place.”

About 2,000 people signed a petition protesting against the cuts, and last month firefighters voted overwhelmingly in favour of possible strike action in response to the council’s proposed cuts to the service.

Eynsham fire station (Image: Google Maps)

Rob MacDougall, Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service’s chief fire officer, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who shared their views on our proposals during the public consultation. We received over 1,000 responses, and it was important that we listened carefully to what people told us.

 “It’s important that we regularly review our resources and work closely with our local communities and colleagues to gain consensus on how best to shape the service to meet current and future needs.

 “It’s apparent, having read and listened to those who gave us their feedback, that local people are keen to support existing fire stations in their towns and villages.

“Building on that community support, we’ll be taking revised proposals to Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet on April 21, which will include reviewing and adapting our recruitment campaigns at Eynsham, Henley and Woodstock, with the aim of increasing on-call firefighter numbers and improving fire engine availability.”

The council cabinet will also be asked to agree to withdrawing the proposal presented in the public consultation to remove the second fire engine at Thame Fire Station.

Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for resources, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to the consultation, from employees to residents, businesses and politicians. Those views have been reflected in new proposals, which cabinet will discuss on April 21.

Councillor Neil Fawcett. (Image: Vale of White Horse District Council.)

“The strength of feeling for retaining community fire stations is crystal clear, and if cabinet approves what is proposed we hope that we’ll receive support from local people as we rollout our recruitment campaign for more on-call firefighters.

“Maintaining prompt emergency response times and community safety are at the heart of our thinking and planning.

“The response to the consultation has highlighted how important our fire service is to local communities and the value residents place on the dedication and commitment of crews.

 “Our commitment is to work with firefighters and the local communities that support them as we work out how to deliver a stronger, more resilient and more effective fire and rescue service across Oxfordshire.”