A PETITION opposing the closure of Marsden Fire Station has been presented to West Yorkshire Fire Authority.

And the issue has also been raised in the Commons by Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney.

He has vowed to do all he can to prevent the closure of the station.

The petition was launched by Lib Dem councillors Nicola Turner and David Ridgway following the announcement of the station shutdown, along with several others in West Yorkshire, earlier this year.

The petition has been signed by 870 residents concerned that the proposed closure may put lives at risk.

The campaign has won widespread support with more than 100 people attending a meeting with fire chiefs earlier this month.

Clr Turner said: “The numbers of people who have signed the petition, attended the public meeting and been in touch with David and I individually clearly shows the strength of people’s opposition to the fire station closing.

“People feel that the change will put people’s lives at risk by increasing response times.

“The fire service says closing the station will only increase response times by on average 48 seconds. It is 2.78 miles between Slaithwaite and Marsden village centre.

“To get there in a less than a minute they would need to travel at 166 miles per hour which is clearly not possible.

“The fire station also provides essential services in the event of a moorland fire which is a regular occurrence during the summer months and there needs to be adequate provision on these occasions.

“We are arguing that the Fire Service should look to find new ways of raising funds by extending the roll of retained fire fighters at Marden.

“For example, we have suggested that they are trained as first response paramedics which could draw in money from the health service.

“We are also arguing that there are savings that could be made by streamlining management of the stations and looking at issues of staff transport.”

She added: “Marsden Fire Station and its retained fire fighters have a longstanding relationship with our community.

“It provides people with confidence and is also a matter of local pride, and rightly so”.

Mr McCartney said he would continue to lobby other MPs, councillors and fire service personnel to stress the vital role played by Marsden.

“You only have to think back a few years to see the vital role played by the Marsden crews in tackling the huge fire at Grosvenor Chemicals, and the work they have done in fighting the huge fires on the moors”.

“We will continue to fight to save the Fire Station and thank everyone for their support.”