Thank you for publicising the huge risk to our safety with the threatened reduction at the Williton fire station and the council’s response (Free Press August 2).

Once again decisions are being made in ignorance of the needs of our rural and coastal communities. 

As we all know, West Somerset has the highest percentage of older people in the country, yet the statistics used to reduce the number of day-time fire appliances has been based on the understanding that most people are out at work in the day.

In fact, most of us over 65s are usually at home doing all the risky normal things like cooking or driving around locally and socialising. And there are also many unemployed people.

Most worrying is the fact that we have five schools ind the area (some with nurseries), meaning that nearly 1000 children plus staff are potentially at risk of a fire engine arriving too late. 

As you have indicated, Devon and Somerset Fire Service are holding a ‘public consultation’ about this plan, ironically called ‘Safer together’ although it surely makes life more dangerous for us all!

Copies are available plus an online link, but the forms are so long and confusing that most people will hardly get beyond the first question. They also ignore the views of any of us, offering an impossible choice between various unpalatable choices. One is tempted to say what a waste of paper.

So please join me in protest, write to the council with your views and act now to keep us, our children and grandchildren safe. 

Margaret Tatham, Watchet and the Quantocks Dementia Action Alliance.