Wiltshire fire station closures: residents urged to respond as consultation continues

Residents across Wiltshire including areas near Salisbury are being urged to take part in a major public consultation on proposed fire station closures before the deadline next month.

The consultation, led by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, could see four Wiltshire fire stations close as part of a wider review of emergency services across the region.

Which Wiltshire fire stations could close?

The fire stations under consideration in Wiltshire are:

• Wilton Fire Station
• Mere Fire Station
• Ramsbury Fire Station
• Bradford on Avon Fire Station

These stations serve a number of rural communities, including areas close to Salisbury, raising concerns about emergency response times and public safety.

Why are the fire station closures being proposed?

According to the fire service, the proposed closures are part of a plan to modernise services and deal with ongoing financial pressures.

A detailed review looked at:

• Emergency incident demand
• Response times
• Availability of firefighters
• Distance between neighbouring fire stations

Officials say the goal is to ensure resources are used efficiently while maintaining public safety across Wiltshire and Dorset.

However, some residents have raised concerns that closing local fire stations could increase response times in rural areas.

Public meetings and strong local response

A series of public meetings have already taken place in towns including Wilton, Mere and Ramsbury, giving residents the opportunity to voice their opinions.

Fire service representatives say turnout has been strong so far, with communities actively engaging in discussions about the future of local fire services.

More in-person and online consultation events are planned to ensure as many people as possible can take part.

Deadline for consultation and decision date

The consultation on Wiltshire fire station closures remains open until 15 May 2026.

After the consultation closes, all feedback will be reviewed before a final decision is made by the fire authority on 30 June 2026.

Fire officials have stressed that no final decisions have been made yet, and public feedback will play a key role in shaping the outcome.

How to take part in the consultation

Residents can share their views by:

• Attending local public meetings
• Joining online consultation sessions
• Completing the official survey on the fire service website

With several communities near Salisbury potentially affected, residents are being encouraged to have their say before it is too late.

Link: https://www.dwfire.org.uk/