OPPONENTS fighting the planned merger of two Wirral fire stations in Greasby have been urged to get their councillors and MPs behind the campaign.

Merseyside fire authority is proposing to close West Kirby and Upton stations and build a new base serving both areas in Frankby Road, Greasby. If approved, it would lead to the outright closure of West Kirby station.

Chief fire officer Dan Stephens outlined the plans during public meeting at Hoylake Community Centre, attended by more than 40 people on Thursday night.

Responding to a questions from the audience on whether intervention from MPs would help their cause, Chief fire officer Dan Stephens said: “It’s never a waste of time to engage with your MP, but I think we need to be realistic.

“In fairness to all Merseyside MPs, they have done all they can in terms of lobbying.

“The problem we have here is the fire and rescue service is part of local government and we are a way down the pecking order.

”I’d take another site in a heartbeat, I’ve made that position very clear.”

Fire Brigades Union secretary Mark Rowe called for people to lobby their political representatives.

He said: “We need you to start asking your councillors and MPs to stop these cuts.

“I’ve attended all three meetings and its easy for respective parties to blame everyone else.”

One member of the audience said: “You’re going to destroy that little green in Greasby”

Another shouted out: “People will lose money on their properties if this fire station is approved.”

John Smith, chairman of Greasby Community Centre said: “We are not against this development, we’d like to work with Dan to find another site.”

Also in the audience was leader of Wirral's Conservative group, Cllr Jeff Green. Addressing Mr Stephens, he said: "We seem to be in a rather difficult situation. 

"West Kirby want to keep their fire station, Greasby don't want one. There is no knight in shining armour coming over the hill anytime soon."

The proposed fire service changes sparked a massive wave of protest this week.

It was the third meeting this week.

Feelings ran high at a consultation meeting at Greasby Methodist Church Hall on Monday night.

More than 500 concerned householders turned up to have their say over the plans, so many that the venue could not cope with the numbers and 300 had to wait outside.

There were boos and cries of "shame" as it was revealed the new station would be built on the site of the village's library, which would be demolished and a smaller service built into the new complex.

It was also revealed the new building would feature a four-storey training tower.

Around 40 people attended a meeting at Woodchurch Leisure Centre on Tuesday night.

The proposals are subject to a 12-week consultation.