Newcastle fire station sell-off sparks traffic fears
A COLLEGE is taking over a former fire station so it can redevelop the site for its growing numbers of students.
The old Newcastle Fire Station, in Knutton Lane, has been lying empty ever since firefighters moved to a new £4.5 million base a few hundreds yards away earlier this year.
Now Newcastle College has confirmed it has bought the site – which sits right opposite its main campus – for an undisclosed sum.
Officials say a number of options are being explored for the land, although they would not reveal details at this stage.
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It comes as the college is attracting increasing numbers of school leavers from across Newcastle and Stoke-on-Trent.
But residents fear further redevelopment along Knutton Lane could exacerbate traffic congestion problems.
Peter Cotton, aged 75, from Knutton, said: "Trying to go along that road in the morning when the college is open is terrible.
"We don't know what is being proposed for the site, but there has got to be consideration of any traffic.
"But using it for some form of training has got to be a good thing.
"I would like to see the site used for intensive training to help young people who are in their last year of school."
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service transferred from the old building to its community fire station in September.
It formed part of a countywide programme of fire station improvements, which have been funded through a private finance initiative.
The new station is a base for around 70 firefighters, a targeted response vehicle, and a specialist water rescue unit.
It also boasts training and gym facilities and rooms which are rented out on a regular base for community use.
The old station still has its distinctive red doors, although it is not clear whether the building will be retained or completely demolished as part of the redevelopment.
Newcastle College is set to submit a planning application to Newcastle Borough Council early in 2013.
Ian Hookway, director of HR and communications at the college, said: "We are considering a range of exciting developments for the former fire station site in response to ever increasing student numbers.
"It will further enhance the range of outstanding facilities and courses available at our main campus.
"Staff, students, residents and other partners will be fully consulted throughout the process."
The college moved to its £60 million campus, off Knutton Lane, just three years ago.
It is currently home to around 3,600 full-time students, more than 400 higher education learners, and more than 800 adults on part-time courses.
The college also offers work-based training programmes to apprentices and companies across North Staffordshire.
Comments
by ravo1972
Friday, December 28 2012, 12:58AM
“So many people after Humphreys' job on yes Prime Minister.”
by Nicky_Davis_
Friday, December 28 2012, 12:34AM
“Growing numbers of students - does this relate to the change summer 2013 that they have to be in education or training (or at the very least in employment) for an extra year beyond year 11? See my question on this (Q4) re SOT and surrounding area:
http://tinyurl.com/cvmaoxw
and supplementary question (second question):
http://tinyurl.com/bwbpml9
Also, re parents dropping off, the 'kids' are 16+, as a parent I expect them to take the bus at that age (though I pay), am I a very mean parent? Ought I to pamper more?”
by ravo1972
Thursday, December 27 2012, 6:40PM
“They need it for a pole dancing acedamy!”
by CommenterSJ
Thursday, December 27 2012, 3:40PM
“@ old_n07
You're absolutely right about the off road pick up/drop off area, that's why 'active managment' is needed on the road, ie, someone who's there with the sole purpose to move the 'selfish stoppers' on before they create the problem to begin with - wishful thinking I fear. Sadly as I've frequently witnessed, with the positioning of the entrance right opposite the fire station and in the 'yellow box'; getting out of the designated area is a nightmare for most of the time, so as a solution it simply doesn't work!”
by old_n07
Thursday, December 27 2012, 2:53PM
“@CommenterSJ
There is already an off road drop off area at the College by the sports centre, it is just that parents ignore it as it is easier to stop at the kerb and drop their chidren off as it saves them 30 seconds or so, they don't consider the knock on effect on the other road users.”
by CommenterSJ
Thursday, December 27 2012, 11:53AM
“There's a pretty simple solution to the daily congestion (in the mornings at least) all they need is a layby where parents can pull in, out of the moving traffic, to drop students off - that way, the flow of traffic would be smoother for commuters driving past. I can't for the life of me understand why this wasn't built into the original plans; and as a result we currently have vehicles stopping wherever they want to to drop kids off. Picking up is a whole other story, the 'thoughtful' ones bump up the kerb and tear up the grass verge to wait for thier pampered offspring; the rest just cause traffic chaos for everyone else. Solution? why not designate formal drop off and pick up places and actively manage them - maybe a job for the soon-to-be-redundant lollipop?”
by Focus386
Thursday, December 27 2012, 10:19AM
“The college haven't even submitted the plans for what they intend to do with the old fire station and residents are already complaining.
I haven't heard any of the residents complaining about the illegal and dangerous drives they had fitted by Aspire. Yes they are illegal as many don't have dropped kerbs, which under the road traffic act and the Highway Code makes them unlawful.
I would say to the residents of Knutton look at what's already there and complain about that. Not complaining about something that no one knows anything about.
You never know the college may build a day centre for moaning residents.”