PLANS to build new fire stations at Old Harlow and Stansted Airport have received support from the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service put in a bid for Private Finance Initiative (PFI) funding earlier this year for the development of stations across the county.

Included in the plan is the development of a full-time station at the airport and a replacement retained station at Old Harlow.

The Essex announcement is part of an overall £50 million boost to improve efficiency and local fire safety operations.

A total of eight bids were made by fire services across the country in this third round of PFI funding.

Each bid was carefully considered by an assessment panel which took into account a number of factors including the bid's potential as a PFI project, its contribution to the government's modernisation agenda, fire service operational priorities, benefits and cost savings, management arrangements and timescales.

A PFI credit is intended to help authorities meet the payments for capital investment made by the private sector.

Minister for the Fire Service Alan Whitehead said: "I congratulate Essex on its successful bid. All eight bids we received were of a very high standard and made the task of selecting the successful schemes a difficult one.

"The successful bids show a commitment to the government's aims for modernisation of public services and all have the potential to be successful PFI's. I am convinced they will help make what is already an effective local service even better."

The service will now have to produce a business case demonstrating the scheme is affordable and that PFI funding would offer value for money.

If it is successful PFI credits should be available to the service in 2003-04.

Chief Fire Officer David Turner said: "This news provides a fantastic opprtunity for Essex County Fire and Rescue to develop new facilities and improve the service to the public of Essex."

November 1, 2001 17:08