Nia says Keep Pontyates Fire Station open

Nia Griffith MP said, “It is vital we keep Pontyates Fire Station open.Whether it is a house fire or a road traffic accident, we all know that response times are absolutely critical to save lives, so I am calling on the Fire Authority to reject proposals to close Pontyates Fire Station, as this will lead to slower response times which could cost lives.”

“Pontyates Fire Station not only covers the immediate area, but it is ideally situated on a major crossroads to provide back-up for incidents in four different directions….. both up and down the Gwendraeth Valley, as well as towards Llanelli and towards Carmarthen.”

“It makes no sense at all to close this station. When looking for cuts, the Fire Authority would do well to start with their top management which is more costly than neighbouring fire authorities, and make protecting frontline services their priority. I would urge local residents to make their views known by emailing or writing to the members of the Fire Authority as soon as possible.”

Decisions about budget cuts will be made by the Mid and West Wales Fire Authority, which consists of councillors who represent the six county council areas covered by the Fire Authority. Here are their contact details:

Mid and West Wales Fire Authority members:

Carmarthenshire members

Councillor W. D. Thomas – Carmarthenshire (Independent), 01994 484220, WDThomas@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Councillor P. C. Higgins – Carmarthenshire (Labour), 01269 591913, CHiggins@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Councillor J. Williams – Carmarthenshire (Labour), 01554 756351, JanWilliams@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Councillor D.J.R. Llewellyn – Carmarthenshire (Plaid Cymru), 01994 448283, DJRLlewellyn@sirgar.gov.uk

Councillor D. E. Williams – Carmarthenshire (Plaid Cymru), 01267 290247, DEWilliams@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Swansea members

Councillor A. S. Lewis – Swansea (Labour), 07584 670061, andrea.s.lewis@swansea.gov.uk

Councillor T. J. Hennegan – Swansea (Labour), 01792 546554, terry.hennegan@swansea.gov.uk

Councillor C. E. Lloyd – Swansea (Labour), 01792 468317, clive.lloyd@swansea.gov.uk

Councillor J. Curtice – Swansea (Labour), 01792 417563, jan.curtice@swansea.gov.uk

Councillor J. Bayliss – Swansea (Labour), 07936349314, john.bayliss@swansea.gov.uk

Councillor R. Lewis – Swansea (Liberal Democrat), 01792 390368, richard.lewis@swansea.gov.uk

Neath Port Talbot members

Councillor C. J. Crowley – Neath Port Talbot (Labour), 01639 775103, cllr.c.crowley@npt.gov.uk

Councillor A.N. Woolcock – Neath Port Talbot (Labour), 01269 825767, cllr.a.n.woolcock@npt.gov.uk

Councillor K. Pearson – Neath Port Talbot (Labour), 01639 750426, cllr.k.pearson@npt.gov.uk

Councillor J. Dudley – Neath Port Talbot (Plaid Cymru), 01639 635908, cllr.j.dudley@npt.gov.uk

Powys members

Councillor G. M. Jones – Powys (Conservative), 01686 412171, cllr.graham.jones@powys.gov.uk

Councillor D.G. Thomas – Powys (Independent), 01874 625302, Cllr.gillian.thomas@powys.gov.uk

Councillor B. Mills – Powys (Independent), 01686 621637, cllr.bob.mills@powys.gov.uk

Councillor K.W. Curry – Powys (Liberal Democrat), 01597 822231, cllr.kelvyn.curry@powys.gov.uk

Ceredigion members

Councillor D. R. Rees-Evans – Ceredigion (Liberal Democrat), 01974 202238, rowlandre@ceredigion.gov.uk

Councillor P. James – Ceredigion (Plaid Cymru), 01970 617870, paulj@ceredigion.gov.uk

Pembrokeshire members

Councillor W.E. Evans – Pembrokeshire (Independent), 01834 861022, vidwyn@hotmail.co.uk

Councillor T.J. Richards – Pembrokeshire (Independent), 01348 840623, tom.richards222@gmail.com

Councillor G. Woodham – Pembrokeshire (Labour), 07411 287533, cllr.guy.woodham@pembrokeshire.gov.uk