The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) board has permanently withdrawn the second fire appliance from Hamilton fire station on Bothwell Road, nearly three years after it was temporarily removed in September 2023 due to a budget deficit and a nationwide service review. The decision, approved this week, also includes switching the second appliance at Cumbernauld to dayshift-only staffing with on-call provision at evenings and weekends.
Background of the Temporary Withdrawal
Hamilton fire station had two engines until September 2023, when it became one of ten stations across Scotland to have an appliance temporarily withdrawn. The number of firefighters based at Bothwell Road reduced from 45 to 30 as a result. SFRS has consistently stated that the station remains staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In a previous statement to the Hamilton Advertiser, the service said: “There is no option to change Hamilton’s appliance from 24/7 cover.”
Board Decision and Alternative Options
The board considered two options for Lanarkshire. The approved option permanently reduces Hamilton to one appliance and moves one of Cumbernauld's engines to a combination of dayshift and on-call provision. The alternative would have reintroduced Hamilton's second engine on a dayshift basis and introduced a nucleus crew of firefighters at Lesmahagow, but this was rejected. The move to dayshift for Cumbernauld's second appliance will also allow roof repair works at the station, which is one of four SFRS bases affected by collapse-risk aerated concrete (RAAC).
Community Opposition and Consultation
More than 2,000 people signed a 2023 petition against the removal of Hamilton's second appliance. Firefighters staged a demonstration outside South Lanarkshire Council headquarters, and hundreds attended public consultation events in Hillhouse and Lesmahagow last summer. South Lanarkshire Council submitted an alternative proposal calling for the reintroduction of Hamilton's second appliance with dayshift and on-call crewing, arguing it would better meet demand from housebuilding and town-centre regeneration, and highlighting Hamilton's central location and proximity to the M74.
Official Responses
SFRS board chair Mhairi Wylie said: “The service delivery review is about ensuring that resources across Scotland are used to best meet risk and demand, ensuring parity and fairness across communities. We recognise the strength of feeling that exists in some communities – we take this extremely seriously and the public consultation has been invaluable in shaping the recommendations and decisions. We have listened to the concerns raised, and we will continue to closely monitor the impact of any changes. These decisions have been taken with community safety and firefighter safety as the primary considerations, while delivering best value for the people of Scotland. We believe these changes are transparent, evidence-led, legally robust and operationally deliverable.”
Chief Officer Stuart Stevens added: “The review is a critical programme to modernise how we work and deliver long-term sustainability; its primary purpose is to ensure that we meet emerging risk and demand while enabling us to address urgent property issues. We recognise that this process has been challenging and, at times, emotive for our staff and communities where changes are proposed. There have been extensive efforts to engage with staff and communities to fully understand their views. We have taken great care to analyse the feedback received and ensured it has been given thorough and considered attention.”
Political and Union Reaction
South Scotland MSP Joe Fagan, formerly leader of South Lanarkshire Council, criticised the decision, stating: “The people of South Lanarkshire are losing out on a 24/7 fully-crewed fire engine. The temporary decision to take an appliance away from the Hamilton fire station has been made permanent.” He noted the community opposition and said: “This flies in the face of the community’s wishes. I am calling on government ministers and fire service bosses to come to South Lanarkshire to explain themselves.”
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the public consultation “resulted in widespread opposition to the cuts”. FBU regional secretary John McKenzie warned: “The service has already lost almost 1,250 jobs since its formation in 2013 and these proposals will result in more posts going unfilled, stations closed, fire appliances withdrawn, response times increased and a downgrade of fire cover, all of which will result in greater risk to lives, property and the natural environment.” The FBU's Scottish committee is set to meet to plan their response to the cuts, which also include closure of five long-term dormant stations, consulting on three more, construction of two new stations, and redeployment of over 60 staff from areas with lower operational demand.
