Firefighters move into new Blue Light Hub as two fire stations in Milton Keynes are set to close

The move means Bletchley and Great Holm fire stations will close as they will no longer be needed.

There are already plans to bulldoze the Great Holm fire station and build homes on the land, which is said be be valued at around £1m as a housing site

The authority agreed in 2016 that two fire stations should be closed when the new Blue Light Hub was built at West Ashland near Simpson.

It will eventually be a hub for all the city's emergency services. Thames Valley Police, South Central Ambulance Service and the National Health Blood and Transplant Service are all expected to move in later this year.

Bucks Fire Area Commander Dave Norris said: “It is a unique privilege to be part of the opening of a new fire station, especially for those who have been involved in the design and preparation, and for the duty crew taking over.

“It is the culmination of the efforts of our colleagues whose vision and incredible hard work has resulted in the success we have had today.”

A formal opening ceremony for the site is being planned for spring 2021 once the decked car park has been built and partner organisations have moved on site.

Chief Fire Officer Jason Thelwell QFSM and Area Commander Dave Norris, Head of Prevention, Response & Resilience, were present to welcome the crews to their new station this week.

He said the West Ashland crews, led by Station Commander Barrie Ackerlay, are now settling in and further developing their relationships with local partners and the communities they serve.

Several emergency turnouts have already been made from the new station.