Contractors working on the build of Theale Community Fire Station have made good progress during recent months, with the new station starting to take shape.
The installation of the steel superstructure took place at the end of September, following extensive work to prepare the station’s foundations.
Plans to build Theale Community Fire Station got underway in January 2020. It is the latest in a series of investments by the Fire Authority, following the refurbishment of Hungerford Community Fire Station and the rebuild of Crowthorne Community Fire Station.
Councillor Colin Dudley, Chairman of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority and Councillor Angus Ross, Lead Member for Strategic Assets on the Fire Authority recently visited the site, while following strict COVID-19 protocols, to observe the progress made since plans were approved.
“I’m delighted with the progress made on site at Theale Community Fire Station and am confident that it will be a fantastic investment that the local community will be proud of, once it is complete.
“What we’re starting to see is the beginning of a modern, fit-for-purpose community fire station that will deliver on our strategic commitment to ensure that our fire stations, people and resources are placed at the heart of local communities.”
The site for the new station was identified during a search to optimise the locations of RBFRS’ fire stations with the new location forming part of a public consultation completed in April 2017. 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.
Councillor Angus Ross said: “Careful planning has ensured that once completed, the new station will provide ‘state of the art’ modern operational facilities for emergency services, as well as a flexible, fully accessible meeting space for local residents and community groups to use.
“Thank you to the contractors Knights Brown for all their efforts so far. I look forward to seeing further progress on site over the coming months.”
Here is a summary of the work completed so far:
The steel superstructure was installed at the site.
An estimated 16,000 tonnes of excess earth was removed from the site to create the platform that the station will be built on.
The station’s foundations were formed using high strength concrete.
Drainage works and a storage system for rainwater and surface water were installed.
To find out more about Theale Community Fire Station, visit: rbfrs.co.uk/Theale.
-ENDS-
Notes to editors
In February 2020, Royal Berkshire Fire Authority published its Strategic Asset Investment Framework which sets out its 15-year strategy for the replacement and refurbishment of its assets, which support the services provided by RBFRS.
Further information about the Service Redesign public consultation in 2017 can be found on our website.