THERE has been an outpouring of support for the Gazette’s campaign to stop the closures of Arnside and Staveley fire stations.

Cumbria County Council wants to close five stations across the county as it looks for ways to slash £55m from its budget over the next two years.

After its launch last week, the Save our Fire Stations campaign has begun to gather pace, with people across the area sending in coupons, while nearly 100 have signed an online petition.

Parish councils in Arnside and Staveley have now thrown their weight behind the campaign.

Petitions put up in Staveley Post Office and local shops have received ‘a very positive response,’ according to Staveley with Ings Parish Council chairman Arthur Capstick.

Earlier this month, the parish council unanimously agreed to send a letter to the county council opposing the cuts.

“I think it would be a major blow to the village,” said Mr Capstick. “Local people have been involved in the service for many years and to lose that would be devastating.

“We need to ensure that people are kept safe and we have the best facilities available.

“We appreciate we are in a time of financial restraint, but to take away something that is a matter of life and death for local residents and visitors is a backwards step.

“You never know when firefighters will be needed.”

Peter Smillie, vice-chairman of Arnside Parish Council, said: “If we were to lose just one life then that would be catastrophic.

“Just because you have never had a fire doesn’t mean you should cancel your insurance.

“I don’t think they have considered that Arnside can get cut off from by the tide very regularly and it won’t be necessarily easy to reach us from Milnthorpe.”

If the station was to close, crews from Milnthorpe, Silverdale and Carnforth would be expected to provide cover.

But Mr Smillie said that was not reassuring: “About 15 years ago Arnside Police Station was closed,” he said. “At the time, we were told we would be covered by Milnthorpe. That has now closed.”

He said there was also concern because of theA further concern was number of care homes in Arnside who rely on quick responses from local crews to any incidents.

Submitted coupons and the online petition will be presented to the council as part of the consultation, which closes on January 22.

Full council will have the final say on February 18.

Sign the petition at: chn.ge/1Xfd4BQ www.change.org/p/cumbria-county-council-a-westmorland-gazette-campaign-save-arnside-and-staveley-fire-stations-from-closure Contact tom.mur phy@nqnw.co.uk or phone 01539 790254 with your stories of how the local fire services in Arnside and Staveley has helped you.