This week, the chiefs of two of the region’s leading emergency service organisations were given a guided tour of what will be one of the country’s most eco-friendly Tri Stations once completed in Spring 2024.

The newly appointed Chief Fire Officer of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), Peter Heath welcomed Chief Constable, Vanessa Jardine of Northumbria Police to the construction site of the Hebburn Tri-Station in South Tyneside.

The exciting two-storey emergency service hub will be a multi-functional facility believed to become the first of its kind anywhere in the country to be almost completely carbon neutral, while also providing a major new combined blue light centre for the area.

The construction is being led by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) but will also house crews and staff from Northumbria Police and North East Ambulance Service.

The new hub is located between Marine Drive and Campbell Park Road in Hebburn, and will be replacing the existing fire station currently located off Victoria Road West, which has come to its natural close.

Chief Fire Officer, Peter Heath, said: “It was my pleasure to welcome Chief Constable Jardine to the Tri Station site, and show her the great progress being made in making a reality our ambitious new environmentally friendly hub.

“We are looking forward to opening the doors to the station next year. As having all three blue light organisations integrated operationally under the same roof represents the vision we have for not only working alongside our Police and Ambulance service colleagues in the heart of the community but doing that in collaborative ways that adds value to our communities and public funding.

“A project the size and magnitude of Hebburn Tri-Station symbolises the commitment of the Service and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority towards reducing our impact on the environment. Along with our partners, we will continue to be at the heart of our local communities.”

Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said: “It has been fantastic to see the progress being made on the new Tri-Station.

“This purpose-built facility will help ensure we can continue to provide the very best service possible to the communities we serve.

“The project also builds on the well-established collaborations we have with our blue light partners in the region.

“I look forward to seeing the building complete and our officers working even more closely alongside our emergency service colleagues.”

The Hebburn Tri-Station is being delivered by North East company Esh Construction, who are also contractors appointed to deliver the major restoration of the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle.

Esh Construction are utilising locally sourced materials and construction labourers from the North East workforce to create the landmark building.

86% of employees working on the scheme are North East residents
184 apprentice weeks delivered on site
Esh Construction have delivered 30 hours of school engagement

The new station has been designed by Sunderland City Council’s (SCC) Capital Projects team, in collaboration with TWFRS, with design and planning support from SCC’s Infrastructure & Regeneration teams and external consultants.

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.

There is also a ground source heat pump facility, when combined, are expected to generate at least 93% of the energy required to run the facility.

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