WILTON Town Council has strongly opposed plans to close its fire station, warning the move would put thousands of residents’ lives at risk.

At a Full Council meeting this week’s, councillors agreed a formal response to Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority’s proposals to close eight stations across the two counties, including Wilton.

The issue has gained political momentum in recent days after it was raised in Parliament, where local MPs urged the government to step in over the potential closures.

In a statement, Wilton councillors said they “unequivocally” oppose the proposal.

“We stand with the 12,751 residents across this widespread rural network whose emergency safety net is currently being targeted,” the council said.

Councillors also challenged the fire authority’s assessment of the impact, claiming its own reports acknowledge the closure would lead to longer response times.

According to the council, consultation documents rely on “best-case scenario” assumptions that fire engines are always available. In reality, the council says availability is far lower.

It claims neighbouring stations expected to provide cover are available even less frequently – around 57% in Salisbury, 59% in Tisbury and just 4% in Amesbury.

The council highlighted concerns that the second fire engine attending a house fire could be delayed by more than two minutes if Wilton station closes.

“Let us be clear: a preventative chat about smoke alarms does not pull someone out of a burning building, nor does it rescue someone from an upside-down car when the backup engine is delayed by nearly two and a half minutes,” the council said.

Councillors also questioned the financial justification for the proposals, pointing to what they say are £23 million in usable reserves held by the authority.

“The fire authority has the money in the bank to keep these stations open right now,” the council stated.

“Over 27% of Wilton’s population is aged 65 or over; we are a vulnerable community facing deep rural isolation, and we will not accept this risk.

“Therefore, our formal consultation response will demand that they use their financial buffer to pause these cuts, engage properly with the community on alternative funding, and look for much more strategic options to make the best use of what taxpayers actually expect their money to be spent on our 999 emergency response.”