A new community fire station has been built in Theale, Reading, as Pangbourne’s ceases to provide emergency responses.

The building, which will officially open in March 2022, is shared by fire, police and ambulance services.

Fire crews relocated from Dee Road to the site in September 2021 while work to finalise the station is ongoing.

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The Fire Authority's lead member for strategic assets councillor Angus Ross said: “As well as improvements for all 'Blue Light' services in the efficient use of public funds, the relationships and opportunities for working more closely together will support greater collective effectiveness".

He continued: “In addition to the emergency response from the blue light services, there will be wider benefits for the community, such as a greater focus on preventative work and broader community integration and involvement.”

Cllr Ross explained the station will offer improved access to the M4 and A4.

A virtual tour has been made available to showcase the facility to the public and a community room is available for residents to book.

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The new station includes improved training and welfare facilities for employees.

The Cllr said it has also been designed in a way to be as energy efficient as possible with the inclusion of solar panels across the roof and the station supports a habitat for flora and fauna.

More than 900 ground cover plants and over 1,500 native woodland trees and shrubs have been planted at the site.

Pangbourne Fire Station will no longer be providing an emergency response.

The defibrillator that was available to use at the front of Pangbourne fire station will be relocated to outside St Bernadette's Church on Horseshoe Road, Pangbourne, at the end of November 2021. A new defibrillator has also been fitted to the Theale Community Fire Station.