Land deal for new Hebburn Fire Station expected by spring after covid pandemic hits project

A new facility for the town has been promised for several years, although plans have been delayed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

But bosses hope work could start in earnest on the site, which is also expected to include bases for police and paramedics.

“The new fire station at Hebburn has been delayed,” said Dennis Napier, strategic finance manager at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS).

“We would have hoped in this financial year to have started on the build, but that has been delayed but the feasibility work has continued.

“The testing on the proposed site is going well and we expect to make some progress towards the end of this financial year.

“The bulk of the costs will happen in the next financial year (2021/22) and the following financial years.”

Napier was speaking at a meeting of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority on January 25, which oversees the work of TWFRS, which was held by videolink and broadcast via YouTube.

In 2020, South Tyneside Council confirmed it was in talks with the brigade over a deal to land in Lukes Lane for the new station to be built on.

Fire chiefs have set aside about £5million to replace Hebburn’s current station, in Victoria Road, thought to be the oldest still in use in Tyne and Wear.

It is hoped it could be up and running by 2022.

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