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The contract to build ten new community fire stations in Staffordshire was officially signed today. The signing was attended by representatives from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and the consortium delivering the £46 million project, Fire Support. Fire Support is a consortium led by Bilfinger Berger Project Investments, consisting of Nord LB and building contractors Thomas Vale and Stepnell. Architects for the project are 3DReid, blue sky architects and Walker Simpson, while Cofely will provide facilities management services. The project will see seven fire stations rebuilt as well as the construction of an additional three stations in areas where the Fire and Rescue Authority has determined there is a need for additional resources. The funding for the project has come from a government private finance initiative (PFI) scheme (See Notes to Editor 1).
Construction work has already commenced on the site for the new station in Rising Brook, Stafford. However now that contracts have been signed, building work can commence on the remaining sites in line with the two year build programme. The Rising Brook station is due to open in summer 2010. Before the end of the year construction work will also start on stations at Sandyford, Belgrave in Tamworth and Uttoxeter (See Notes to Editor 2). 3DReid Project Leader, Dave Smith, said: “This is a relatively new market sector for us and we are looking forward to building the first of these new stations. The main design aspirations are centred around capturing the essence of a modern dynamic service in flexible, environmentally conscious buildings with a strong civic and community presence.” Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Peter Dartford said: “This is fantastic news for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, those we work in partnership with and, most importantly those we serve. We are leading the way in the UK Fire and Rescue Service with these purpose built community embracing fire stations. Our current fire stations were built at a time when we were almost solely a reactive service just responding to emergencies, they were certainly not built for the pro-active service we are today or the Service we are going to be in the future – sitting at the heart of the community.” Notes to Editor: 1. Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Authority was the first of five Authorities invited to submit for Government Support in 2006. In May 2007 the Authority was told it had been successful in its bid and received over 1/3 of the £125m of credits allocated by Government. The £46m investment is at current prices - it actually represents a £90m investment by Government over the next 25 years. 2. Anticipated start/finish dates: Rising Brook, Stafford, Aug 2009 – July 2010 Sandyford, Stoke-on-Trent, Oct 2009 – Oct 2010 Belgrave, Tamworth, Nov 2009 – Nov 2010 Uttoxeter, Nov 2009 – Feb 2011 Cannock, Jan 2010 – Jan 2011 Hanley, Mar 2010 – July 2011 Newcastle, Sep 2010 – Aug 2011 Burslem, Sep 2010 – Aug 2011 Kidsgrove, Sep 2010 – Aug 2011
Tamworth, Oct 2010 – Sep 2011
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