The new “Blue Light” state-of-the-art facility on Princes Street in central Ipswich provides a combined fire and police station for Suffolk Fire & Rescue and Suffolk Constabulary, with a base for on-call ambulances in the area. The initiative to bring fire and police services under one roof seeks to facilitate streamlined operations, collaborative working, and financial efficiencies for the community. The new hub is the largest of its kind in Suffolk and has been designed to accommodate approximately 40 fire service and 24 police staff.

The scheme involved the demolition of the original 1980’s building back to its structural concrete frame to allow a programme of extensive refurbishment and remodelling. The fire appliance bay was demolished and replaced by a two-storey block with fire appliance bays on the ground floor and offices and fire service dormitories on the first floor. Elsewhere, there is a lecture room with AV technology and intelligent lighting, interview rooms,  lockers and kit bag areas, a public enquiry office, a main reception area, an external help point telephone facility, car parking for operational police vehicles, electric vehicle charging points, and external landscaping. An additional interesting requirement of the end users for the energy efficient design was the incorporation of a firefighter’s pole to enable quick access from the fire service dormitories to the ground floor. The Princes Street project is the first new station to be built in Suffolk boasting a firefighter’s pole; bringing back a long-term tradition.

Collaborative working between all stakeholders was essential to deliver the scheme. A great project to be part of in support of the important and vital work that these frontline services provide to the wider community.

Role:

D&B Mechanical and Electrical Contractor

Main Contractor:

R G Carter

M & E Consultant:

Concertus

Architect:

Concertus

Value:

£1.1M

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