AN MP has raised concerns about the length of time it would take retained firefighters to reach a major incident on Canvey.

Rebecca Harris, Tory MP for Castle Point, has submitted official questions to Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities, over controversial plans to replace all 25 full-time firefighters on Canvey with part-time retained officers.

She asked if the minister agreed potentially explosive Calor Gas and Oikos fuel storage terminals located on the island made it a special case, providing a strong argument for retaining full-time crews.

Mrs Harris also asked what assessment had been made of the impact a possible increase of two, five or possibly ten minutes in response times for Canvey’s fire crews would have on serious incidents.

This would be likely because retained firefighters would not be based at Canvey fire station, off Long Road, whereas the full-timers remain at the base throughout their shifts, ready to respond to 999 calls at a moment’s notice.

Retained firefighters must live within five minutes drive of the station, but Mrs Harris is worried they could get held up in Canvey’s notorious traffic.

Mrs Harris said: “I have no doubts whatsoever about the professional abilities of retained firefighters.

“However, it does worry me that they would have to get through the traffic, which everyone knows can be really bad on Canvey, to reach the fire station before going out on emergencies.

“It could lead to longer response times, which is a worry, particularly because of the Calor and Oikos terminals.”

Mr Pickles will be expected to provide written replies to Mrs Harris’s questions.

The announcement that Canvey will lose its full-time firefighters sparked angry residents’ protests.