Banstead Fire Station move postponed until 2026

Reigate MP Rebecca Paul with Surrey County Councillor Luke Bennett by Banstead Fire Station

The planned closure of Banstead Fire Station has been delayed for a year.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has accepted an offer from building owner Surrey Police to continue using the current site until 2026 as it searches for a new home.

The service had announced plans to move firefighters and engines to Whyteleafe, however a suitable site could not be found during an initial search.

Godstone Fire Station was later suggested as an alternative, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Reigate MP Rebecca Paul warned the move to Godstone would increase response times to emergencies and nearer sites should be considered.

She said: "This is deeply worrying for residents and feels like a backwards step in terms of safety.

"I am very much hoping that SFRS are successful in their exercise to find an alternative site that better serves the Banstead area.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to build a new, modern fire station, keeping our communities and our homes even safer."

SFRS chief officer Dan Quin has said the brigade needs to change and evolve in order to be more effective and efficient.

He said the need to leave Banstead was "pressing" as crews currently have to leave the area for regular training.

The station, he said, also lacks a long-term solution to deal with contaminated kit – fire crews' protective gear often requires specialist cleaning.

He said Whyteleafe was the "most appropriate location to move" based on risk and demand, but that, as of yet they had not been able to find a suitable site.