Fire station and training facility officially opens

The larger site has improved training facilities and contamination zones

A new fire station has officially opened in Portsmouth.

Cosham Fire Station crews have moved from the previous site in Wayte Street to one on Northern Road shared with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary.

Chief fire officer Neil Odin called the larger site, which has improved training facilities and contamination zones, a "modern fire station designed for 21st Century firefighters".

The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, opened the new building in a special ceremony which involved the unveiling of a commemorative plaque.

The station has moved from the previous site in Wayte Street to one on Northern Road

Station manager Lee Sheen said: "I have been in a truly privileged position to work with so many great teams to plan, build and deliver a brilliant new site for our Cosham crews, who have played a huge role in this journey as well.

"This new station will benefit the local community and our organisation for years to come.

"It is fantastic to see it finally open and our teams delivering their life-saving response from here."

The Lord Lieutenant unveiled a commemorative plaque at the ceremony

Rhydian Vaughan, the chairman of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority, called it a "momentous day" for the organisation.

He said it marked a "brand-new era for our Cosham firefighters, their police colleagues they work closely alongside, and the local community which they serve here in Portsmouth".

The two-acre site includes space for partners, and community rooms available for hire away from the secure operational and partner areas.

The service said the station would also be a "unique and dynamic training hub in the east of the county, offering improved facilities not only for Cosham but for other stations as well".

These facilities include a road traffic collision area, ship firefighting hatches, and lift rescue.

Following the approval of the project, the ground was broken in February last year, with a topping out ceremony taking place in October.