The cost of building a new fire station in Crewe has increased by £375,000 because of soaring inflation, writes Belinda Ryan.
The new building had been costed at £7m but that has now risen to £7.375m.
A report due to go before Wednesday’s (June 22) meeting of Cheshire Fire Authority says that money is already agreed as a matter of urgency – outside of the normal meeting process.
The report states: “Since the estates and property committee decided, on March 1 2022, that the project to replace the existing fire station in Crewe with a new building, should proceed, there have been developments that have led to a delay in signing the design and build contract.
“During this period the cost of the project has increased.
“The project can only proceed if additional capital funding is allocated.
“The sum of £375k is required, increasing the overall budget from £7m to £7.375m.
“The project team is satisfied that the cost increases, due to the impact of abnormal inflation, are consistent with the current market conditions that are affecting the construction sector.”
The report adds the decision has already been taken and could not wait until the next meeting of the fire authority because ‘the project team believe that any delay will see the cost of the project increase further’.
Permission to demolish the existing fire station off the Crewe Road/Macon Way roundabout and replace it with a new station including a training tower and training building together with car parking was granted by Cheshire East Council in November of last year.
The present fire station, which was opened in 1966, no longer fits the needs of the service and a new one is being built which is better suited for the current operational requirements.
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