Mayor of London Boris Johnson was today urged to properly fund the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and abandon his planned cuts. The call follows the Mayor’s decision to use his executive powers to force through the controversial closure of Westminster and Knightsbridge fire stations and eight others.  

On 18^th July the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) voted against the Mayor’s proposed cuts to 10 fire stations, 14 fire engines and 552 firefighters. 

Londonwide Assembly Member Murad Qureshi AM, said:

“We are now considering our next steps in light of the Mayor’s decision to force through fire stations closures, including Westminster and Knightsbridge fire stations. Londoners have been clear about their opposition to the Mayor’s closure of fire stations and we will continue to make the case to keep these stations open. The Mayor must reconsider his position, drop his plans to close 10 fire stations and fully fund the London Fire Brigade. 

“It is totally within Boris’ power to fully fund the London Fire Brigade. He is wrong to push through these fire station closures. If he is serious about ensuring the safety of Londoners he needs to put his money where his mouth is and provide adequate funding. While Boris continues to dither we have decided to take action and have instructed the Fire Authority to set up a working party to identify any further savings that will protect the frontline.” 

The stations that are due to close are: Belsize, Bow, Clerkenwell, Downham, Kingsland, Knightsbridge, Silvertown, Southwark, Westminster and Woolwich. 

The stations that will lose a fire engine are: Chingford, Hayes, Leyton, Leytonstone, Peckham and Whitechapel. 

Ends 

Notes 

1. Murad Qureshi AM is a Londonwide Assembly Member.