£1.4m build of Rothwell fire station completed

The construction of a new fire station in Rothwell, Leeds, has been completed by Conlon Construction over a 12-month period.

The former two-storey fire station, built in 1963, has been replaced by a single-storey and comprises a two bay vehicle garage, offices and rest and recreation areas, as well as a new community room for use by local groups.

Commissioned by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, the new station will house 14 firefighters and one fire engine, providing 24/7 cover 365 days of the year.

Neil Conlon, divisional director at Conlon Construction Yorkshire, said: “The new station was carefully designed to have minimum impact on the nearby Conservation Area and we’re very proud to have delivered these modern facilities that will enable the fire service to continue its great and essential work within the local community.”

Simon Pilling, Chief fire officer, added: “The new fire station at Rothwell represents a significant investment by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority having cost close to £1.4m.

“We are in the process of building a number of new fire stations within West Yorkshire as part of our modernisation programme and have recently opened one at South Kirkby and one at Rastrick with more to follow at Dewsbury, Killingbeck and elsewhere in the future.

“The new Rothwell Fire Station, alongside others, will provide a first-class facility from which to deliver our highly effective emergency response and community safety activities to Rothwell and the surrounding areas for many years to come.”

Councillor Judith Hughes, Chair of the Fire Authority, also commented: “Rothwell now has a state-of-the-art fire station that will serve both the general public and business communities for decades to come. I wish to convey the thanks of the Fire and Rescue Authority to all those involved in delivering the new station.

“The Fire and Rescue Authority has had to make some difficult decisions over the past few years to deliver the efficiency savings to balance the budget and I am sure we have many more challenges ahead. In spite of these challenges it is so important to be able to continue to invest in fantastic facilities such as this.”