COOKHAM Fire Station looks likely to be closed for good because of a shortage of retained firefighters continues.

The station in Berries Road was temporarily closed in July last year (see link below), and a decision over its long-term future is set to be made in the new year.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue reported an underspend of £548,000 last year, the majority of which was allocated for retained firefighters.

Retained officers have 'day jobs' and live within a mile of the station, responding to emergency calls when necessary.

RBFRS is currently conducting a review of its 11 retained stations across Berkshire and a formal proposal will be made in September.

Paul Southern, assistant chief fire officer, told the Bucks Free Press: “Historically its been very difficult to recruit people to Cookham. It's quite an affluent area where people commute into London for work.

“It's also our lowest priority area in that we don't have a significant number of incidents in Cookham.”

He said though Cookham Fire Station is currently closed for operational and emergency purposes, the building is still being used for youth education projects.

The fire crews from Cookham have been attached to Maidenhead Fire Station and Mr Southern stressed the village is being covered “adequately”.

He added that it is often quicker for a fire engine to travel from Maidenhead than for retained officers to come into Cookham Fire Station before setting off for the scene of a fire.

Derek Fry, chairman of Cookham Parish Council, said: “I think Cookham should have a service immediately at hand, but it looks like the writing is on the wall.

“People were quietly alarmed when the station closed last year, and what happens to us if the engines in Maidenhead are all busy?

“They say there aren't enough officers available in the area but I haven't seen them advertise the jobs anywhere.”