Police and fire to share station

ONE of Cambridgeshire's newest settlements is set to get its own police and fire station.

Cambourne, which was born in spring 1998, now boasts around 3,000 homes, two primary schools, a medical centre and a supermarket.

But the development currently has no police or fire station.

Fire crews are currently sent from either Cambridge's Parkside fire station, which is fully manned, or Papworth, a retained fire station.

Police coverage for the development is provided by community beat manager Chris Bradley and PCSO Amie Meston from Histon police station.

But now Cambourne's developers - Bovis Homes, Bryant Homes and George Wimpey - have confirmed they are in discussions with Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue and Cambridgeshire Police Authority, over plans to house the two services under one roof.

Land for the venture, on the corner of Sackville Way and Back Lane, will be handed over by the developers as soon as both authorities are ready.

Anna Turner, press officer for Cambridgeshire Police Authority, said: "The police and the fire service will have joint occupancy of the new site.

"Initial plans are being prepared and costed and I believe we are looking at building work being carried out in 2007, so it's a little way off just yet.

"But it is an innovative development that has greatly reduced costs for us."

A spokesman for Cambridge-shire Fire and Rescue said: "We can confirm that early discussions are under way with Cambridge Constabulary in relation to exploring the partnership for a joint facility at Cambourne.

"It is an exciting venture ahead."

David Chare, project director for the Cambourne Consortium, said: "The proposed site will be handed over as soon as both authorities are ready.

"The consortium is looking forward to working with both parties to bring these extremely important facilities to Cambourne."

As reported in the Cambridge Evening News