A state-of-the-art blue light Tri-Station that will be the first of its kind to be completely carbon neutral is now one step closer to completion.

Last year Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) revealed plans to build a new community fire station in Hebburn.

The proposed Tri-Station will be home to fire crews but also operational teams from North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) and Northumbria Police.

The Hebburn Tri-Station project team are also working closely with the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Kim McGuinness.

Public engagement on the new station concluded late in 2021 and today (Monday) TWFRS have revealed the project has moved into its next phase.

The Planning Department at South Tyneside Council will soon be contacting residents whose properties are in the immediate vicinity of the new multi-million pound emergency service building.

Those residents and people in the surrounding area will have 21-days to ‘air their views’ to the Local Authority about the planned community-based project.

Chief Fire Officer Chris Lowther of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“We are at a fundamental stage of the Hebburn Tri Station project, which is one of the most exciting collaborative blue light community developments that Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has led in well over a decade.  The high level of investment shows our commitment to the region – enabling TWFRS and our partners to keeping residents, businesses and the wider community safe from harm.

“The Service is delighted to be working hand-in-hand with our colleagues at Northumbria Police, North East Ambulance Service and with the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner – to deliver a contemporary, eco-friendly facility that will enable emergency services to unite under one roof, and help to serve the local community for generations to come.”

The planning application for the project was submitted to South Tyneside Council’s Planning Department at the end of November last year.  Following a ‘validation’ process the application is now ‘live’.  Before the Local Authority make their judgement they will now contact Hebburn residents for their final opinion on the proposal.

The submission of the planning application follows a series of community engagement events that were held by the three emergency services in August and September 2021, where over 200 local residents visited Lukes Lane Community Centre to view the plans and chat with the blue light representatives.

The sustainable station will have solar panels on the roof, a wildflower meadow that will help increase local biodiversity and a system that will store and re-use rain water.

It will also have a number of car and cycle charging ports with the view of all three services having a fleet of electric vehicles.

Northumbria Police Assistant Chief Constable Neil Hutchison, said:

“We are proud that the North East is one of the safest places in the country to live, work and visit.

“That is only possible because of the fantastic relationship we have with the communities we serve as well as with our partners across the region.

“We are delighted to be part of this Tri-Station project in Hebburn, which will support the ongoing close collaboration we have with Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service and the North East Ambulance Service. This ultimately enables all our services to work together to keep people safe.”

Paul Liversidge, Chief Operating Officer at North East Ambulance Service, said:

“We now share a number of stations with our police and fire colleagues across the North East, which has proven incredibly successful. This new tri-station will be a first for the Tyne and Wear area and we’re looking forward to further strengthening our relationships with our emergency service colleagues as part of this project.”

The design and project management of the new station is being undertaken by Sunderland City Council’s Capital Projects team, working with their Infrastructure and Regeneration colleagues and external consultants.

Here’s a link to the ‘Planning’ portal on the South Tyneside Council website.

Also for further information about the Capital-funded Hebburn Tri Station project please visit our website description.