Before the deeply-flawed consultation on the original plan to force through 50 job cuts at stations in Maesteg, Penarth and Pontypool New Inn is complete, they're already threatening to expand the programme to Ebbw Vale.

Adamsdown station in Cardiff could also be demolished as part of another costcutting plan and replaced by a smaller facility and a block of student flats. In just a few weeks the amount of money planned to be cut from the Fire Service's budget has doubled to £10.2 million.t's clear that local FBU leaders were correct to warn of the "thin end of the wedge". In total hundreds of firefighters jobs could be lost and thousands of lives as a direct result of this most callous programme of cuts.

While Labour councillors on the Fire Authority are striking an oppositional pose, Labour Assembly Member Carl Sargeant - who has the power to halt the cuts - has so far refused to intervene or even to comment on the cuts, and Labour Minister Jane Hutt has gone to extraordinary lengths to facilitate the cutbacks. She granted South Wales Fire Service a special "Invest-to-Save" loan to meet the costs of carrying out their cuts programme. While some Plaid AMs have criticised this programme, Plaid councillors on the Fire Authority have remained tight-lipped amid accusations in the local press that they plan to vote in support of the cuts.

But Anti-cuts campaigns and alliances are developing that could hold the politicians to ransom over the issue. Over thirty residents and firefighters agreed to form Penarth Save Our Fire Service campaign at a meeting organised by Cardiff Trades Council delegates and Socialist Party members during August and this will soon be joined by a campaign in Maesteg.

A meeting is planned for the 16th September at 7pm in the Harlequins on Talbot St. A noose is tightening around the neck of the Fire Authority that will close on the 27th September at a protest lobby of the Fire Authority, unless councillors pull their necks in and withdraw the plan.