MP Joins Firefighters to Battle Station Shut Down
Brian Mathew, the Wiltshire MP, has thrown his weight behind the fight to save Bradford on Avon’s fire station from closure. In a social media post, Mathew revealed he met with local firefighters and Fire Brigades Union reps to tackle the controversial plans. The meeting included crew from Bradford on Avon and union reps from Dorset and Wiltshire, all furious over Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service’s proposal to shut the station down.
MP: “Station Vital for Community Safety”
Mathew said, “This station is a vital part of Bradford on Avon’s safety, and I’ve been working tirelessly to make sure these plans do not go ahead. It was invaluable to bring everyone together in Parliament to strengthen our campaign and coordinate the next steps.” He slammed short-term thinking, insisting fire services must prioritise long-term community safety. “Decisions like these must be made with community safety at their heart, not short-term pressures,” he warned.
Local Campaign Backed by Town Council and Firefighters
Highlighting the strong local opposition, the MP added: “There is a huge amount of local effort behind this – from campaign groups to Bradford on Avon Town Council – all united in protecting this essential service. That strength of feeling is clear, and it matters.” He praised the dedication of firefighters Alexandra, Tom, and Nigel, pictured with him, whose commitment to public safety he described as “second to none”.
One of Eight At-Risk Stations
Bradford on Avon is among eight stations across the Dorset and Wiltshire area facing possible closure. But Mathew vowed: “This campaign is far from over – and I will continue doing everything I can to support it.”
