Long-delayed fire station rebuild to begin

The delayed rebuild of Chobham Fire Station is soon to restart, nearly two years after work was originally expected to begin.

From 14 May, the Chobham fire engine and crew will operate from Woking Fire Station for an estimated 12 to 18 months while the redevelopment takes place.

Surrey Fire & Rescue Service said it would continue to send the nearest and most appropriate resource to incidents and would still meet its 10 minute average response time to critical emergencies across the county.

The redevelopment had been scheduled to begin in spring 2024 but was pushed back after issues were raised by the Environment Agency during the planning process.

The new station will include improved facilities to manage operational contaminants and hygiene, new gym space, a dedicated community area and a second appliance bay.

Dan Quin, chief fire officer, previously said that the redevelopment would enable the service to "serve communities better".

He said that the "adjusted timelines" were "a result of careful planning and considerations necessary for such significant building work".

Cabinet member Kevin Deanus previously said that the council understood how important the station was to the local community and appreciated residents' patience during the delays.

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