Surrey fire cover plan timescale is extended

Proposed changes to Surrey's fire service would mean cuts to night cover

More time will be spent going through the public response to the proposed changes to the fire service in Surrey, the county council has announced.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Authority's draft plan reduces night cover but provides more engines during the day.

A public consultation on the plan, designed to save £2.7m over the next four years, ended in March.

The council said the recommendations would now be considered in June rather than April.

'Final plan'

Chief Fire Officer Russell Pearson said: "We are grateful to everyone who gave us their views and it is only right we take the time to analyse them all properly.

That is why the final plan will now be considered by the fire and rescue authority in June."

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is opposing the proposed changes.

It claims slower response times would threaten life and increase the risk to businesses, property and fire crews.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service said the plan included "appropriate" cover over 24 hours.