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The future of the fire station that looks after Windsor Castle, Legoland and a number of other high profile premises is to be decided in the High Court next week.
The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead is seeking to overturn the decision in 2007 by the Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Authority, made as part of its Integrated Risk Management Plan, to downgrade the fire station to 12-hour daytime only operation. The Fire Brigades Union is supporting the action and has vowed to fight on to keep the fire station on 24-hour cover, even if the court action fails.
The case in the High Court will take place next Wednesday. The borough alleges that the fire authority failed to undertake a proper consultation and to adequately assess the risks surrounding a night-time closure. The FBU points out that Windsor Fire Station covers an area which attracts 7 million visitors a year. A host of celebrities, some of whom live in the area, are supporting the campaign. They include Sir Elton John, Rolf Harris, Michael Parkinson, Tony Benn, Terry Wogan, Piers Morgan and Sir Alan Sugar.