Firefighters and campaigners have welcomed the news that three fire stations in Tyne and Wear have been saved from the chop.
Sunderland Central, Gosforth and Wallsend fire stations were saved after a 34,000 signature petition was handed into the local fire authority.
Russ King, secretary of the FBU in Tyne and Wear, said: “The fire authority made the right decision to save these three fire stations. The overwhelming majority of the public did not want to see these vital assets to the community lost, putting lives at risk and endangering the public.
“It is great to have the support of the Northern TUC and Sunderland trades council as well as that of the local Sunderland MP Julie Elliot. This shows you the effect that co-ordinated community led campaigns can have on fire authority decisions.
“However the fire authority are still pressing ahead with dangerous job cuts. We will continue to fight the cuts and challenge the austerity agenda.”
The campaign also had the backing of the Sunderland Echo newspaper, who collected 14,000 of the signatures, through their Hold Fire campaign.
