A SENIOR member of Northumberland County Council has hit back at criticism of the way proposals to close Haydon Bridge fire station were handled. 

The council’s west area committee last week voted to object to the closure, but chairman of the Northumberland Fire and Rescue Authority Coun. Dave Ledger said: “To object to something you know very little about and before you even have the facts seems beyond comprehension to me!

“Don’t get me wrong;  this is not something any of us wants to do – but we simply have no choice. The need to make £500,000 cuts in 2016/17 is as a direct result of cuts in our budget by Central Government and was agreed by members as part of the budget in February.

“We have sought to make the required savings in a way which has the least impact on our communities. We appreciate that there may be some concerns and that’s why we are keen to talk to people as part of the consultation to provide reassurance. 

“We will also welcome any other suggestions on how we can make these cuts as part of the consultation.”