Facility axe cost £600k

THE decision to axe plans for a fire training facility in West Lothian cost fire chiefs more than £600,000.

Accounts for 2010-11 show Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue had to pay out £400,000 in costs and £200,000 in compensation to firms involved in the Newbridge “hazard village”.

Plans for the £7 million site were axed after it became apparent that a single Scottish fire brigade was likely to be created. A fire spokeswoman said the costs were preferable to creating a facility that would be duplicated.