John Mason, the SNP MP for Glasgow East, is encouraging residents of the Camlachie, Parkhead, Auchenshuggle and Carmyle areas to have their say on the future of fire services in the south-western part of his constituency.

The existing fire station at Parkhead is badly in need of refurbishment and upgrading, as is the facility across the South Lanarkshire boundary in Cambuslang. Strathclyde Fire & Rescue’s favoured plan is to decommission the existing stations at Parkhead and Cambuslang and build a new facility at another site in the Cambuslang area. A public consultation on these proposals is to run until 23 January 2009.

John Mason, SNP MP for the East End, said:

“I would encourage people living in the Parkhead area to make sure that Strathclyde Fire & Rescue is aware of your views. The consultation process only runs until 23 January, and there is little scope for complaining about the decision after the event. Now is the time for us to express our opinions on the proposals.

“I have had discussions with both the Fire Brigades Union and Strathclyde Fire & Rescue. The union do have concerns that the plans on the table will see increased emergency response times in those areas closest to Parkhead fire station. However, the management contend that response times will remain within the 8 minute guideline time.”

• Log on to: www.strathclydefire.org/perform/FitForPurpose.asp for more information.

• Email: Parkhead-Cambuslangfeedback@strathclydefire.org to express your views.