My family originated over Exmoor and lived in Watchet for generations. I am now in my 92nd year but hope I remain rational. My wife and I stay in Porlock Weir frequently and were there for our 66th anniversary.

Reading the West Somerset Free Press of July 5, I am appalled by the proposal to close the Porlock Fire Station and wish to record our support for the ensuing public protest.

When I retired from the Royal Navy, I became company secretary to a firm of mining, quarrying and rock-blasting specialists blasting the M5 through the Gordano Valley. We suffered an extremely sad loss of life, and I underwent relevant courses on health and sSafety to ensure full implementation of the 1974 Health and Safety Act.

Three years later, I became a principal personnel officer with the New Avon County Council, responsible for implementation of the county health and safety policy.

The Porlock Fire Station is in my view indispensable, and with its largely volunteer retained fire crew most cost-effective. Porlock and its vicinity, with quite uniquely narrow and bendy routes toward Bossington, Porlock Hill, West Porlock, Porlock Weir and Ashley Combe, and the two toll roads and steep ascents to heights, are difficult enough for normal road traffic. 

It is vital that drivers of larger vehicles including urgent responsive to call-outs, particularly fire engines intent on saving life, respond as quickly and safely (for themselves too) as they may and this can only be achieved through continuous and detailed knowledge of the peculiar hazards there. This can only be achieved adequately through LOCAL knowledge.

Those who are associated with any intent to close the Porlock station should look to Section 3 of the 1974 Act or they may find themselves in some jeopardy. I firmly recommend that the protestors request that the Health and Safety Executive carry out a thorough assessment of the truly and unique dangers arising from the time, distance, physical risks and hazards in this particular area

Ronald L Copp, Cdr RNR, St Ann Place, Salisbury.

** More letters on this subject in tomorrow’s Free Press.