Construction of a new fire station at Rastrick remains on schedule.
That’s the message from West Yorkshire Fire Service chiefs following the completion of the foundations and steelwork on the Clough Lane site.
The new single-storey station is due for completion in March next year and is set to become operational the following month.
It will replace the current fire stations at Brighouse and Elland and will serve those areas as well as north Huddersfield.
Andrew Crowther, station commander and project co-ordinator, said: “The steel framework is now in place and the project is on target for completion in the spring. It is progressing well with no problems.”
Mr Crowther said the next stage would be to complete the block work and roof to make the building weather tight by the winter.
There will also be highways work in the coming months to install a “hurry call” system, which will turn the traffic lights at the junction of Clough Lane and New Hey Road to green in favour of fire engines when they get an emergency call-out.
Mr Crowther said: “We are grateful to the neighbours for their support during the construction process. Hopefully, there should be less noise and disruption now the foundations and steelwork have been done.”
The new Rastrick station is one of five currently planned or under construction in West Yorkshire – with the others at Batley Carr – replacing the Dewsbury and Batley stations – Killingbeck in Leeds, South Kirkby and Rothwell, Leeds.
Contractors moved onto the site at Clough Lane in May.
When completed, the new station will house one of West Yorkshire’s specialist water rescue and flood response teams and will provide three bays for fire engines, room for five personnel and equipment, a dormitory and rest and recreation area, a service yard to the rear and car parking as well as a multi-purpose room available for community use.
The current Brighouse Fire Station was built in 1971 while Elland Fire Station was constructed in 1965.
Mr Crowther said: “The new station will ensure a continued fire service presence in the local communities we have served in the past for many years to come.”
