Delayed fire station revamp 'on target' financially

The planned refurbishment of a Sheffield fire station is now "on target" financially after long delays and "spiralling costs".

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority previously said it wanted to replace Elm Lane fire station after it was deemed no longer fit for purpose.

Plans to build a prefabricated replacement on the site were approved in October 2022, however following a tender process, the expected cost was 188% higher than initially projected.

During a meeting on Monday, the authority's estates and facilities manager, Andrew Knight, confirmed final plans were being formulated but that it was hoped the new station would be "up and running" in March 2026.

As previously reported, the initial delay was caused by an unexpected rise in cost, which the authority said had been in part due to the tender being around the same time as the Raac crumbling concrete news.

Various options were discussed throughout 2024, with the fire authority deciding that the best solution for Elm Lane was to take a back to brick approach.

Mr Knight told the meeting work was continuing with the design of the station and that tenders would be sought in the next two months.

The project was currently "on target" financially, he said, but a true indication of costs would become available after going out to tender.

"We are quietly confident that it will come in as it should do," Mr Knight added.

During construction, impact on traffic would be considered, he said, and asbestos removed from the building.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.