The recent flurry of newspaper articles about Balmossie Fire Station draw on email correspondence between SNP politicians with an interest in the then proposed downgrading of the station. Their views were revealed under freedom of information requests.On 7 January this year, Broughty Ferry Councillor Ken Guild and Leader of the City Council emailed Councillor Ken Lyall, the Convener of the Tayside Fire and Rescue Board to state he was
"very disappointed at the timing of this controversial proposal in a key sector of a marginal seat in the run up to an election."
This was the then approaching UK General Election subsequently called for Thursday 6 May 2010 when the SNP's Stewart Hosie was anticipating facing the electorate in Dundee East.
I want to make it clear that I am not a fair weather supporter of the retention of Balmossie Fire Station. I have consistently been outspoken in my support for the retention of our fire station on the grounds of public safety for the communities served by our fire station, primarily Broughty Ferry and Monifieth and their landward areas. It should also be remembered that our fire station crews are an important part of back up support for serious fires, floods, chemical spills and road traffic incidents in Dundee and Angus.
Whatever their motivation, I am relieved to learn that any reconsideration of the future of Balmossie Fire Station is off the agenda for at least two years.
