PLANNED fire cuts will put Sedgemoor’s growing population at risk and should be “strongly opposed”.

That is the view of Sedgemoor District Council, which became the second Somerset local authority to formally object to proposed cuts to fire services across Somerset, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.

Somerset West and Taunton Council voted on July 25 to oppose the closure of Porlock fire station near the Exmoor National Park, as well as cuts to appliances in Taunton, Wellington and Williton.

Now its Sedgemoor counterpart has nailed its colours to the mast in a bid to protect services in Bridgwater.

Under proposals currently being consulted on by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Bridgwater fire station will lose one of its three fire engines as part of a wider move to allocate resources where they are most needed.

The district’s other stations, at Burnham-on-Sea, Cheddar and Nether Stowey, will not see any significant change in provision levels.

A motion to oppose this change was agreed by the full council in Bridgwater on July 31.

The motion was put forward by council leader Duncan McGinty and seconded by Labour opposition leader councillor Brian Smedley.

Mr McGinty said “In the knowledge of the growing population of Sedgemoor, increased business and new homes, more jobs, people and vehicles on the road, we would strongly oppose any reduction to the fire service provision across the district.

“While it is acknowledged that prevention and education is vital to reducing the risk of fire incidents, this should not be at the expense of the response service.”

The council’s chief executive and all party leaders will now write to Devon and Somerset’s chief fire officer, laying out their “strong opposition” to any reduction in services.

The fire service’s Safer Together consultation running until September 22.

To complete the questionnaire visit wwwwww.dsfiredsfire.govgov.uk/safertogethersafertogether.

Once the consultation has been completed, finalised proposals will come before the fire authority for approval in the autumn.