Horton Kirby fire station is among those to close

by Jess Banham

Campaigners angered by the closure of eight fire stations in Kent are planning a legal challenge against the decision.

Residents are aiming to launch a bid for a judicial review over a consultation process they claim was a "complete farce".

It was decided at a meeting of the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority yesterday that seven fire stations in the county will close by April.

Those axed will be part-time stations in Halling, St Margaret's at Cliffe, Sturry, Matfield, Queenborough, Rusthall and Seal.

Another, at Horton Kirby, near Swanley, will be shut when a replacement is built in nearby New Ash Green.

The shake-up comes after Kent Fire and Rescue Service was told to expect a major cut in government funding - thought to be around £12 million over the next three years.

Firefighters are also said to be attending fewer fires and other emergencies, with a 25% drop in call-outs since 2005 and the service claim many of the stations are in the wrong place.

Where the fire stations will close

But the decision has outraged some residents, who fear lives will be put at risk.

Colin Willson, from South Darenth, near Horton Kirby, said: "Our campaign doesn't stop here - it just steps up a notch.

"We are looking into the possibility of judicial review as we feel the consultation period has not been adhered to. The consultation itself has been a complete farce and therefore we are hoping we can get this decision overturned.

"We have quite a lot of support in our local area and on our Facebook page and we will continue to let residents know what's going on and get the support behind us for a review."

However, KFRS chief executive Ann Millington defended the public consultation.

She said: "We have taken three years to do a review of all of our cover across Kent and what we are trying to do is get the best possible cover for all of the people of Kent.

"We have considered every single aspect and when we went to talk to parish councils and public meetings and when they've sent in letters, we've gone back to people very, very quickly helping to understand their points.

"We've given them further data and I genuinely think we've helped them to understand that we'd already explored all those issues."

KFRS plans to open new stations in Herne Bay, Ramsgate and two in the Medway Towns. It said no firefighters will be forced to take compulsory redundancy.

Instead, there are plans to re-deploy them to neighbouring stations or offer "alternative flexible contracts".