A ground-breaking ceremony was held to mark the start of the building phase, with the station and fleet centre due for completion later this year.
The construction will be led by Isle of Wight-based contractor, MCM Construction Ltd., who exclusively use island-based resources, ensuring local residents and companies will build the fire station that will keep them safe.
Members of the fire authority, senior officers and others involved in the planning, design and construction phases were also present to witness the spade in the ground event.
Following speeches and photographs, guests were able to enjoy refreshments laid on by the Rapid Relief Team.
The new station has been designed to help firefighters manage contamination risks, whilst the site will also host a fleet and equipment maintenance facility specifically for island-based vehicles.
Once complete, East Cowes’s on-call firefighters will have a brand-new base in the town, having remained operational by responding to incidents out of Newport Fire Station since moving away from the site in 2024, prior to the building’s demolishment.
Following the fire authority’s approval, our Estates team worked closely with the Isle of Wight Council to ensure surrounding trees are protected and that the development doesn’t impact upon resident boundaries.
Director of Corporate Services, Matt Robertson said:
“Our teams have worked incredibly hard alongside our partners to reach this exciting phase of the programme, the beginning of construction for the brand-new East Cowes Fire Station and Fleet Maintenance Centre.
“Our on-call firefighters will benefit from the modern facilities that will be on offer here to keep them safe and ready to make lives safer.
“This work is just one element of our service-wide estate programme, with more exciting improvements planned across our Hampshire and Isle of Wight fire stations.”
Cllr Rhydian Vaughan MBE, chairman of the Fire Authority, said:
“Today marks an important milestone in this exciting project which will bring a fantastic new fire station building to the town, benefiting not just the firefighters here in East Cowes, but also those across the island.
“The Estates team has worked closely with the Isle of Wight Council to finalise the plans, ensuring all parties, including residents are happy.
“The rebuild demonstrates our commitment to ensuring our teams here on the Isle of Wight, have access to modern and inclusive facilities, helping to keep them safe, healthy and allowing them to best respond to our communities in their times of need.”
