PROPOSALS to cut or reduce fire services in Somerset have been slammed as “ridiculous” by county councillors.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is currently consulting on its Safer Together proposals, which look at how fire stations, engines and crews can be best deployed for the future needs of the two counties.

In Somerset, the possible changes include closing Porlock fire station and reducing fire cover in Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil, as well as smaller changes to other stations.

The proposals have been roundly mocked by Somerset County Council, with one councillors branding it “the duffest consultation I have seen”.

Division members made their views clear at a meeting of the council’s policies and place scrutiny committee in Taunton on Wednesday morning (September 18).

Councillor Bob Filmer said the changes could increase the risk for tourist hotspots, particularly those on the coast.

He said: “Berrow and Brean’s population increases many times over in the summer – it has the largest number of caravans of anywhere but Scarborough.

“The risks they face if they do not have adequate fire cover are dire.”

Councillor Tessa Munt said her constituents in Wells had no confidence in the proposals, which would see one of the city’s two fire engines reduced to night cover only.

She said: “Should we have a fire in the cathedral, or the Bishop’s Palace, cover will be coming from Shepton Mallet. I do not think it is realistic.”

Councillor John Hunt said it was “ridiculous” to deprive Taunton of one of its three fire engines given the large amount of new housing developments in the local area.

He said: “With two engines out on call, the Taunton area has 109,000 people who will be left with one engine if they have an incident.”

Councillor Liz Leyshon said: “This is the duffest consultation I have seen – light on facts, heavy on paper and trees.”

In its formal response to the consultation, the council said it should work with the fire authority to improve fire prevention – for instance, by encouraging people to stop smoking and taking steps to reduce the number of false alarms.

It also said the plans “do not appeal to fully appreciate” the impact cuts would have on deprived areas, or the growing and ageing population of the whole county.

The council has also criticised the nature and layout of the consultation, saying it “appears to lead the reader’s thinking, has limited detail and does not allow for innovative thinking”.

The Safer Together consultation concludes on Sunday (September 22), with the fire authority making a final decision on the proposals in early-November.

To take part in the consultation visit www.dsfire.gov.uk/safertogether.