| Nine fire stations across London are to be completely rebuilt |
Nine ageing fire stations across London will be entirely rebuilt after the government gave the green light for a huge building programme to go ahead.
The Private Finance Initiative project will see London Fire Brigade receive £57.4 million to make major improvements to nine of its stations. The new stations will replace fire stations at Dagenham, Dockhead, Leytonstone, Mitcham, Old Kent Road, Orpington, Plaistow, Purley and Shadwell.
The contract to build and maintain the nine new stations will be let competitively and procurement will begin in July 2009. Construction work is expected to start in 2012 once detailed plans have been approved.
Commissioner of London Fire Brigade, Ron Dobson, said: "I am pleased that we've been given the go-ahead to build nine new fire stations. They will be an important contribution to providing modern facilities for our firefighters".
The new buildings will provide high quality facilities for firefighters, with room for modern fire appliances and training. They will also feature areas where staff can meet local people and pass on vital fire safety advice.
The Brigade is at the forefront of work to protect the environment and, as such, the new stations will be energy efficient and contain the latest green technology.
Eight of the stations are being completely re-built on their existing sites and one station, Mitcham, will be built on a new site.