WORK has begun on the new 'super' fire station at unused land at Pilkington's Watson Street site with the facility expected to be up and running in November.

Cranes have been visible at the site, with ground works having been in progress.

The steel frame will start to be installed over the next few weeks, a spokeswoman for the fire service said.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority approved plans to push ahead with a new station in 2015 following public consultation.

Eccleston and Parr Stocks stations are to close and merge for the a new “super station”, just off Milverny Way.

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A graphic of the plans

The designs feature a three appliance bay two storey structure, with operational and welfare accommodation, a community meeting room, offices and training facilities, external drill and training spaces.

There will be 37 car parking spaces and a designated mini bus parking space.

The community fire station, when completed aims to be staffed 24 hours a day, with one fire appliance crewed by whole time firefighters and a second by whole time retained firefighters.

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The third bay will be used by a combined platform ladder appliance.

The training tower to the back of the development is included in the plans which is required as part of the station's requirements to replicate real scenarios.

Additional training facilities include a covered road traffic collision simulation pad and a below ground training tank.

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