Police and fire service representatives joined Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Hardyal Dhindsa in a ground-breaking event to mark the start of our work on Derby’s newest emergency services collaboration.
The development, based at Ascot Drive, Derby, will replace the ageing Cotton Lane police station and will become an operational hub for 200 staff while also supporting increased collaborative working between Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service and Derbyshire Constabulary.
A special ground breaking event was held in March, before the Covid-19 lockdown, to celebrate the official launch of our start on site. “This is an exciting milestone for everybody who has worked hard to bring this project to fruition,” said Mr Dhindsa.
“The Ascot Drive development will provide our hardworking officers and staff with the modern working environments needed to do their jobs more effectively. As well as reducing costs, it will increase opportunities for interoperability enabling us to strengthen the existing close working arrangements we share with our fire service colleagues.
“Where resources and operational need allow, we will continue to transform our estate with fit for purpose buildings which utilise public funds in the most innovative and economic way.”
The new police station will be linked to the existing fire station on Ascot Drive and will reduce operational costs for both the force and Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service.
The aim is to improve the response to public safety between both services by promoting greater flexibility and collaboration.
B&K’s Regional Commercial Director, John Hart, said: “We are delighted and very proud to be constructing this new police station for Derbyshire Constabulary and local developer Ivygrove Developments Ltd. This continues our blue light experience in the region and we look forward to making this exciting scheme a true success for all concerned.”
John Blount, Chairman of Ivygrove Developments, said: “The Ivygrove Group is delighted to be associated with the new police station in our capacity as developers, bringing together the Police and Fire Authorities, along with our preferred main contractors, Bowmer + Kirkland, to enable this new concept of shared facilities between Police and Fire to proceed. As land owners, we had no hesitation in entering negotiations with such respected public organisations and we are now finally at the construction stage.”
The new station will serve the south of the city and is set to become the centre of policing operations for football matches at nearby Pride Park Stadium.
ENDS