Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority has announced draft proposals which gives the choice between removing one of the two on-call fire engines from Ross-on-Wye fire station or closing Whitchurch fire station.

The Authority is addressing its significant budget shortfall and will meet on Thursday, October 3rd to ratify the proposals and begin a 12-week consultation period.

The proposal says that removing one of the fire engines from Ross would save £44,400 in 2014/15 and the loss of seven on-call fire fighters. The closure of Whitchurch fire station could save £80,700 in 2014/15 and the loss of 11 on-call fire fighters.

Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates said: "Over the past three years we have made significant savings. But to address overall savings of £4.7m we now have to look at our frontline. "It appears to be inevitable that over the coming years we will have fewer fire engines and firefighters but we believe the proposals contained in the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) will have the least impact on the communities of our two counties and the safety of our firefighters."

For the full story please see this week's Ross Gazette.