CONTROVERSIAL plans to change the future of the fire service in Southamp-ton have been slated by residents, firefighters and union bosses.

At a public consultation last night the proposals - which would see the number of full-time crewed fire engines in the city reduced from six to five - were dismissed as "a clear thinning out of resources."

The criticisms came following the admission that major fires in the Redbridge area may not be attended as quickly if the proposals were to go through.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue's proposed Integrated Risk Management Plan would see one of two fire engines at Redbridge Hill fire station, which is pictured above, replaced with a "first response vehicle" to deal with smaller fires.

The first response vehicle - a modified Nissan Navara - requiring only a two-man crew - would be more suited to dealing with these fires, the service claims.

One fire engine from Redbridge would then be stationed at St Mary's fire station, crewed by retained firefighters, reducing the number of full-time crewed engines to five - but raise the number of available appliances in the city to seven.

Appropriate' The service says that the introduction of the new vehicle would allow for a more appropriate coverage of the Redbridge area - which includes Southampton General Hospital, Nursling Industrial Estate, Redbridge Towers and the M271 - as well as allowing resources to be better used throughout the county at places such as Winchester, Havant and Andover.

However, the issue sparked concerns from firefighters, residents and members of the Fire Brigades Union after Hampshire deputy fire chief Alan House said: "It is a fact that if we take a full-time engine away and there is a fire in the Redbridge area we will still get the same amount of engines there.

"But it is also true that it will take longer for the second engine to arrive."

Worried Coxford resident Don Thomas said: "No matter which way you look at it our local fire stations are having their resources cut."

Nick Chaffey, of St Denys, added: "The bottom line is that the number of full-time engines in the city will be reduced from six to five which is an obvious thinning out of resources."

FBU secretary for Hampshire Conrad Jordan said: "Two full-time engines should remain at Redbridge Hill. A number of secondary fires still require two fire engines in attendance and if this is reduced the service to the area will suffer."

A vote was also taken on the proposed merger of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight fire and rescue services. As part of the proposals, Hampshire residents would see their council tax go up by £2.16 a year to help improve the service on the Isle of Wight, which was recently graded "poor".

Isle of Wight residents would see their council tax drop by £24.77.

No one was in favour.