Clerkenwell fire station is earmarked for closure

One of Islington’s fire stations – the oldest in the capital – has officially been earmarked for closure.

London Fire Brigade bosses announced plans to close Clerkenwell fire station in Rosebery Avenue at a briefing this afternoon.

Kingsland fire station in Dalston, which serves Islington, is also set for the chop if the plans get approved.

The announcement follows the leaking in October of a list of stations that the LFB was considering closing, which included both stations.

Speaking in November, Greg Edwards, a Fire Brigades Union (FBU) official and firefighter at Clerkenwell, who launched a campaign to save the station, said: “If we lose the station, it could have an effect on people’s lives.

“There’s disbelief at the station that they could even be considering this. Clerkenwell is the oldest station in Europe and there’s a reason it’s been around for that long – it’s strategically placed and it’s needed there.”

Islington station, in Upper Street, was also on the original leaked list, but its closure does not now form part of LFB’s plans.

Twelve fire stations could be shut across the capital in all, resulting in the loss of 520 front line firefighter jobs, if the changes are implemented following a consultation. They would take effect in the autumn.

In November, LFB Commissioner Ron Dobson said: “Ongoing reports of individual stations closing are nothing but unfounded, sensationalised scare stories.”

The LFB is bidding to make savings of £28.8million over the next two years.