Construction will begin soon on the new fire station and shared facility
in Meeching Road, Newhaven. This project will deliver a new build facility in
the centre of Newhaven aligning key public services. It will combine a Fire
Station, a Council community hub and a neighbourhood policing base delivering a
range of public services to residents in the Newhaven area.
Following a tendering process, Morgan Sindall has been selected to
construct the new building. The
construction phase is due to be completed by autumn 2015.
On 19 December 2014, the
Chairman of East Sussex Fire Authority, Councillor Phil Howson, visited the site
along with Fire Authority Member, Councillor Carla Butler, Leader of Lewes District
Council, Councillor Rob Blackman, the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy
Bourne and Inspector Rob Lovell from Sussex Police.
Together they helped to make a start by digging the first hole in the ground.
Chairman of East Sussex Fire Authority, Councillor Phil Howson, said
“This marks the beginning of an exciting journey to deliver a joint,
multi-agency, collaborative project, which will deliver savings to the tax payer
and improve local services to the residents of Newhaven.”
Councillor Rob Blackman said “Lewes District Council, the fire and
rescue service and Sussex Police sharing one building in Newhaven is not only
an efficient use of resources but it's also great news for residents as they
can now access a range of services under one roof. From the perspective of town centre
regeneration, we are bringing staff and customers into the heart of the town
which will benefit the High Street.’
Sussex Police and
Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “the combined services site here in
Newhaven is a ground-breaking approach to emergency services collaboration.
Co-locating
with partners to provide a more
joined-up service is part of my wider strategy to modernise the Sussex police estate and respond to the
way that people now access police services.
Many police
buildings are between 50-100 years old and are no longer fit for purpose. They have high running costs and layouts that
don’t support modern policing and are often inaccessible to the public.
We are taking this
opportunity to provide a 21st century working environment designed for 21st
century emergency services. I have pledged not
to remove a police service or facility before a similar or better alternative
for the public is put in place so I am delighted that Newhaven residents will
be some of the first to benefit from this."
Should you have any concerns or questions regarding the construction
works please contact Kevin Mason, Senior Site Manager
at Morgan Sindall Telephone: 01273 506222.