Edinburgh's Marionville fire station saved from closure - at least for now

A huge campaign involving local residents, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), community groups and local politicians, has persuaded fire chiefs to drop their proposal to close the station in Lochend as part of a Scotland-wide review of fire services.

Recommendations which will be considered by the board of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on Monday no longer include shutting Marionville.

But the report to the board leaves the long-term future of the station uncertain, saying there should be "further detailed analysis and modelling of potential station locations in the Edinburgh area" and that Marionville should remain open while that work is carried out.

The Marionville building contains crumbly RAAC concrete, but other fire stations affected by RAAC are being rebuilt. And during the consultation on the review, possible alternative sites for a new station in the area were suggested.

Residents in the area said they were left feeling "very vulnerable" by the plans to close the station. And the SFRS admitted the proposal could mean response times were up to six minutes slower.

A large grass fire on Arthur’s Seat last month was cited by campaigners as evidence of why it would be a mistake to close Marionville, whose crew reached the scene in two or three minutes and were able to evacuate people quickly from the area. When it was raised in the Scottish Parliament, First Minister John Swinney said the growing risk of wildfires was an issue fire chiefs had to assess when making their plans.

The plan had been to close Marionville, relocate its fire engine and crew to Newcraighall, 3.5 miles away, which would become a two-engine station, then close Musselburgh fire station and move its engine to a new-build Tranent station.

But the recommendation which will now go to the board says: "Do not proceed with the Edinburgh component (Marionville and Newcraighall)." The East Lothian changes are still recommended for approval.

The report says: "Implementation of both components would resolve the RAAC issues posed by the Marionville and Tranent stations, significantly reduce future capital investment pressure, and present no disproportionate equalities impacts.

"However, due to points raised through the consultation process, such as alternative station sites and condition surveys, we will carry out further detailed analysis and modelling of potential station locations in the Edinburgh area.

"It is appropriate not to proceed with the Edinburgh component whilst additional work is carried out and pertinent information obtained."

David Strachan, FBU rep at Marionville, welcomed the recommendation not to proceed with the station’s closure.

He said: “We’re grateful that SFRS has listened to the concerns raised through staff engagement, public consultation and community feedback.

“However, the recommendation does not provide clarity on Marionville’s long-term future. If the case for closure isn’t strong enough now, it never will be. SFRS must commit to rebuilding or refurbishing the station, and the Scottish Government must provide the funding needed to secure its future.

“In the meantime, firefighters at Marionville will continue doing what we’ve done for the past 59 years: keeping our communities safe.

“This recommendation would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of local residests and the strong support of [local politicians] Ben Macpherson, Chris Murray and Sarah Boyack. Their commitment has been instrumental in reaching this point.

“I hope the fire board backs the recommendation and keeps Marionville fire station open for many years to come.”

Ben Macpherson, SNP MSP for Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith, said: "In my role as the constituency MSP, I'm very glad to see that it looks likely that Marionville fire station will be saved, and I will be relieved if and when this is confirmed by the SFRS board on Monday.

“Along with many others, I have advocated strongly and passionately for a fire station to be maintained at Marionville to meet current demands and future needs, and to keep response times as short as possible in a local emergency.

“Recent fires on Arthur's Seat and at Sleigh Drive have again underlined the importance of where Marionville station is located, how brave and effective the fire officers based there are, and why this local asset must be retained.

“I pay tribute to everyone involved in the campaign to save the station, and we will keep making the case for it to secure its future."

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Former Lothian Labour MSP Sarah Boyack, who was also heavily involved in the campaign to save Marionville, said: "It's vital that the SFRS acknowledge the importance of Marionville fire station, given the area it serves, including the large number of new houses and the major works at Leith Ports.

"The SFRS urgently need to upgrade Marionville and invest in a new station locally. There has been huge support in the community and people and firefighters need to feel safe."

And Edinburgh East & Musselburgh Labour MP Chris Murray said: “It’s reassuring that the SFRS has dropped the proposal to close Marionville fire station. With a growing population and responsibility for Scotland’s capital, the risk to life and property if it were to close is too great.

“I have worked closely with the dedicated firefighters from the station and the local community and the collective view is clear. This recommendation must stand: it must not be overturned.”