WORK is underway to redevelop Basingstoke’s ageing fire station. 


The current facilities used by the town’s fire crew date back to 1966, but after nearly six years of planning, the West Ham Close station is finally getting a facelift. 


As previously reported in The Gazette, the new £6million station will accommodate improved modern living quarters, a training tower and smoke training building. 


Demolition of the current facilities started on Monday, as firefighters geared up to move into the site’s breathing apparatus training chamber, which will act as their temporary base while construction of the new station is being carried out. 


Station manager Ian Wadmore said: “Our current training facilities are being converted into our new home for the next year whilst the new station is under construction. 


“It has been a long time coming for the new station as our current facilities are 50 years old and have served us a good life. 


“We are all looking forward to moving into a new modern facility, which can aid us in training and holding public lectures.” 


Mr Wadmore believes that a new modern station will help provide the high quality service the fire service strives for. 


The new station will have enhanced training facilities, which will enable courses to be run from the station. In addition, unused space at the front of the West Ham site will be used to house 10 specialist vehicles. 


The modernised building is expected to take just over a year to build and it is hoped to be complete and operational by February 2017.


With construction underway, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has reassured people it will not affect the quality of service.


A spokesman for the fire service said: “Basingstoke will retain full effectiveness throughout the project. There will be no impact on service response to emergency calls or crewing numbers.”