THE Forest of Dean could get a number of its recently closed police stations back under a proposed shake up that would see the constabulary’s ‘blue lamp’ hung outside fire stations.

Fire stations in Cinderford, Lydney and Newent could be pressed into service as dual centres for both fire and police services under the terms of an independent report published today (September 6).

The report, commissioned by Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl says there is strong evidence the county would benefit from greater collaboration between police and fire services locally.

But the publication of the report could see Mr Surl go head to head with the county council which has in the past vehemently opposed any move to merge the two services. He is now calling on Shire Hall chiefs to put past differences behind them and work with him.

Mr Surl said: “The county council has made its opposition to change very clear but I think this is too good an opportunity to miss and I urge them to think again.

“If ever a county was perfect for this reform, it’s Gloucestershire. How many fire stations are there around the county that are currently under-used and could be adapted as community police and fire stations?"

However, county councillors understand that the report indicates that Mr Surl is dropping plans for a takeover.

But Mr Surl said that this is not the case and appealed for collaboration and added: "The move would raise the profile of both services; in some places, people would get their local police stations back and it would also help tackle the issue of rural isolation.”

Councillor Nigel Moor, Gloucestershire’s cabinet member for Fire, commented: “I am pleased Mr Surl has seen sense, and dropped this plan.  It was never going to add up, and it is a shame that it has led to so much wasted time and money for all involved. 

"We have always been keen to work with Gloucestershire Police to see how we can work together better, as we always have done in the past.

Cllr Will Windsor-Clive, chairman of Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Panel, which scrutinises the commissioner, commented: "Anyone could have told him this merger plan was a non-starter – it is hard to understand why he spent so much effort pursuing it."