The creation of a single centralised fire service for Scotland could reignite the row over the future of Balmossie Fire Station, according to a former Dundee councillor.
The Balmossie station had been earmarked to be downgraded but the plan was voted down following a very vocal campaign by the community in Broughty Ferry, Barnhill and Monifieth.
However, Allan Petrie, who is now convener of Dundee Liberal Democrats, said there was a danger that “local voices would be drowned out” in a single, Scotland-wide fire service.
Mr Petrie was commenting after his party in Dundee launched a petition against plans to merge Scotland’s fire and police services.
“The Scottish Government has failed to account for the costs of implementing a merger,” he said. “This could amount to millions of pounds and was the reason similar plans were previously scrapped both here and in England and Wales.
“Tayside is already one of the most efficient police forces in the country. It would be extremely foolish to see an efficient force like Tayside become part of a Scotland-wide force, to the detriment of the people of Dundee, Angus and Perthshire.”
Councillor Fraser Macpherson said, “It is clear, speaking to constituents in the west end of Dundee, that they are very concerned by these fire service and policing centralisation proposals. People in Dundee value local police and fire services and centralising the services into a national service is something they view with concern.”
North East Scotland MSP Alison McInnes said, “The SNP Scottish Government is aggressively pursuing the creation of a single nationwide police force and a one-size fits all approach to policing.”
Far from saving money, the plan will be “hugely expensive, increase political interference and could reduce the number of officers on the beat,” she claimed.