The closure of Balmossie fire station would be a “travesty” for the region, it has been warned, as thousands back a campaign to save it.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) confirmed on Wednesday that the Broughty Ferry hub is at risk of being shut.
It comes after a review was carried out into their resources, including numbers of staff, appliances, and stations.
Another option on the table is the removal of the wholetime appliance at Balmossie, instead maintaining one on call appliance at the station.
Consultation launched
A 12-week consultation is now being being held which will allow the public to have their say on the proposals.
But the possibility of the permanent closure of Balmossie has been met with ire, with local politicians among those calling for it to be saved.
Maurice Golden, Conservative MSP North East Scotland, said: “It would be a travesty to close Balmossie.
“Assets from Dundee are often deployed beyond the city, and you can find Balmossie crews helping retained firefighters in Forfar and Montrose.
“That experience saves lives. Lives which depend on effective local cover when every second counts.”
Petition attracts thousands of signatures
Ahead of Wednesday’s confirmation, a grassroots campaign had been set up to save Balmossie fire station.
And a petition launched calling for the station to be saved has amassed over 2,300 signatures.
The campaign has been backed by Labour MSP for North East Scotland, Mercedes Villalba, who vowed to help the fight to save the station.
She added: “The SFRS must listen to residents, workers and trade unions and abandon their disastrous plans to close or downgrade the Balmossie Fire Station.
“Just two years ago, the Scottish Government assured the people of Dundee that any cuts to the SFRS in our city would be temporary.
“Today, it’s clear they are becoming permanent.
“Together with the FBU and the residents of Broughty Ferry, Dundee Labour will be fighting to save Balmossie Fire Station.”
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