Action stations (From Borehamwood Times)

Action stations

12:22pm Friday 21st November 2008

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We had a dramatic 'hold the front page' moment yesterday.

Just after 4pm, an hour before our absolute deadline, we had it confirmed that Hertfordshire County Council has suggested it wants housing built on the site of Radlett Fire Station.

Read the full story.

This is not exactly a surprise for people following the story of the fire station's closure — and it would be the most lucrative use of that prime land in the centre of Radlett for the landowner, the county council.

But that final confirmation marks a symbolic point in this long-running saga. Campaigners still insist the station should be reopened and have offered to fund it themselves.

The council insists the station is not needed and, if you think about the economics, it's true to say that land is worth a lot of money to taxpayers which is currently untapped.

But more houses equal more people and the need for more fire cover. And there will be a lot more houses — 5,000 in Hertsmere in the next 13 years.

That's what doesn't add up.

But every time we contact the county council's press office to get a response about the latest news regarding the fire station, we get the same response - that Radlett receives the same cover as the rest of the county, and that's that.

It would be good to know exactly how the authority plans to increase that cover over the next decade or so.

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