ABOUT £880,000 will be saved if West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority vote to remove one engine from Halifax Fire Station.

The plan would also see more than 20 posts axed.

A report shows that the fire authority will be asked to align emergency cover in the Halifax area by removing one engine.

If it’s approved, it will be replaced with a combined aerial rescue pump, a vehicle with the full capability of a standard fire engine plus the added capability for high reach firefighting and rescue.

The news comes as plans have been confirmed to merge two Calderdale fire stations into one – the authority approved the closure of Brighouse and Elland stations with a new station in Rastrick awaiting planning permission.

The fire authority’s report says: “Firefighters at Halifax have raised concerns about the accessibility of the combined aerial rescue pump in certain parts of Halifax due to its size and weight and they have put forward a very useful practical solution. They have suggested that the second fire engine at Halifax is retained as a resilience pump, fully equipped but not crewed.”

The report shows that the savings of £880,000 will be made with the loss of 20 firefighters who earn £36,000 a year and four crew managers who earn £40,000 a year.

Just three formal representations were made. Clr Adam Wilkinson of the Calderdale Communities Scrutiny Panel submitted a motion agreeing to lobby central government regarding funding and to liaise further with the authority.

Halifax MP Linda Riordan proposed that the current provision should remain.

And a local resident submitted representation in general opposition to the proposal.

Chief fire officer Simon Pilling said all the messages coming out of central government projected further reductions in financial support for local authorities up to 2020.

“I believe that these proposals represent changes that will have the least impact on emergency cover, yet contribute significantly to addressing the financial gap the authority must address.”