The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has proposed to close Bow Fire Station, and 11 other fire stations in London, as part of budget cuts to the London Fire Brigade, alongside plans to reduce the number of firefighters, and the overall number of fire engines, including from two to one at Whitechapel. These proposals are set out within the draft fifth London Safety Plan which is out for public consultation until 17th June. Respond to the consultation here: http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/lsp5.asp

Bow Fire Station is located within Tower Hamlets, in an area of increasing population, which had the highest number of call outs out of any London borough last year. It has multiple high rise buildings with high risk factors, and response times for firefighters to reach a fire are critical. Every second counts. The proposals to close Bow Fire Station will inevitably increase the time it takes for firefighters to reach a blaze and tackle a fire, thereby endangering life, and public safety.

We, the undersigned, petition the Mayor of London to keep Bow Fire Station open, to continue to protect local residents and serve the community