Plans to build Theale Tri-Service Fire Station get green light from RBFA

A new fire station will be built in Theale, after plans for a new full time station were approved by Members of the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority’s (RBFA) Management Committee.

Theale will become a tri-service community station, offering a shared location for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS), Thames Valley Police (TVP) and South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS).

The new site, which is being purchased from Network Rail, was identified during a search to optimise the locations of RBFRS’ fire stations with the aim of improving the overall speed of response. Emergency vehicles will be closer to the local communities of Calcot, Thatcham and Theale, as well as benefitting from improved access to the wider county via the M4 and A4 corridors

RBFRS firefighters and TVP’s Neighbourhood Policing Team will be based on site, together with paramedics from SCAS who will be able to use the station’s facilities when on standby.

A community room will also be included in the build, providing a flexible, fully accessible meeting space for local residents and community groups to use.

Councillor Angus Ross, Lead Member for Strategic Assets on Royal Berkshire Fire Authority: “The inclusion of these facilities ensures that the station will be an asset and resource for local residents to make use of. This is just one example of RBFRS delivering on its commitment to put fire stations at the heart of the communities they serve.”

“Careful planning has ensured the plans will provide ‘state of the art’ modern operational facilites for the Blue Light services as well as a community hub.”

Prior to work getting underway, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site to mark the beginning of construction work. Those in attendance included senior representatives from RBFA, RBFRS and local residents, who were among those consulted in the development of the plans.