(Left to Right): Superintendent Kevin Waring of Northumbria Police; Gerry Fionda – Chair of Monkton Village Association; Chris Lowther – Chief Fire Officer of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service; Hebburn resident – Shirley Gardiner; and Darren Green, Head of Operations Central Division at the North East Ambulance Service.

Residents from a South Tyneside town have hailed the start of construction work on a new eco emergency service tri station as an important ‘milestone for the community’.

Shirley Gardiner and Gerry Fionda both recently attended the official turf cutting ceremony of the new Hebburn Tri Station in South Tyneside.

They were joined by an array of representatives from local groups and organisations – who were present to mark the key moment in the building’s history.

The Hebburn Tri Station will house officers from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, Northumbria Police and North East Ambulance Service under one ‘environmentally friendly’ roof.

Today (Monday) Shirley, 73, and Gerry, 73, have praised the project and said they are excited to have a UK first right here in their home town.

“I believe the Hebburn Tri Station will become an important building in the heart of our community”, said Shirley Gardiner, who has lived in Hebburn her entire life.

Shirley added: “Looking after and caring for the local environment plays a big part in my life, and I was pleased to see that the new station will also help with this work.

“It will be wonderful to have a first for the country here in Hebburn as the Tri Station will be completely carbon neutral which can only be a good thing for local people.

“The inclusion of wildflower meadows and the consideration of wildlife within its design is great news for supporting biodiversity and the natural habitats of South Tyneside.”

Shirley plays a pivotal role in the town’s voluntary scene as she’s a Founder member of Hebburn Litterpick Group; and is actively involved in Hebburn Wildlife Group; Hebburn Neighbourhood Watch Group; and Friends of Environmental Issues in South Tyneside (FIESTY).

Residents will now notice continued activity in and around Marine Drive and Campbell Park Road as the construction phase of the project has begun and is being led by North East construction company, Esh Construction.

Gerry, is a resident of Monkton Village and has lived in the area for nearly five decades. He is also Chair of Monkton Village Association.

Mr. Fionda said: “Having the new station in the town provides a sense of security knowing that emergency services are in the community.”

Chris Lowther, Chief Fire Officer of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The Hebburn Tri Station is an important project for not only the people of Hebburn and Jarrow but also the wider communities of Tyne and Wear.

“The station’s environmentally friendly resources and design represents our continued commitment to biodiversity and becoming a carbon neutral Service.

“We look forward to working under the same roof alongside our blue light colleagues from Northumbria Police and North East Ambulance Service.

“These are exciting times ahead and I am delighted that the project has the support of the local community.”

It is expected that the new Hebburn Tri Station will be operational by Spring 2024.