[P]olice and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall, Chief Constable Michelle Skeer, Chair of Eden District Council Mary Robinson and representatives for contractors Thomas Armstrong took part today in a ‘cutting the sod’ ceremony to mark the start of construction of the new Eden Police Deployment Centre.
The £4.6m building project will be starting in the next few days and it is proposed that the new Centre will be completed by summer 2019.
Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “I am delighted that the construction of this new Eden Deployment Centre has now started. The replacement of Hunter Lane police station and the existing hostel accommodation at The Green were identified as priorities within the Cumbria Constabulary Estates Strategy.
“This is an exciting and significant project and I am grateful to the Constabulary’s Estates team for their hard work to date in developing the plans for what will be a building that brings officers into a working environment that embraces and supports the Constabulary’s innovative working methods, specifically around making use of technology to improve operational efficiency.
Chief Constable Michelle Skeer, Cumbria Constabulary, said: “I am pleased that the building of the new Eden Police Deployment Centre is set to commence.
“The new building will provide numerous benefits to the Constabulary including progressive use of technology, extra meeting rooms, hostel accommodation and better onsite parking facilities for visitors.
“Hunter Lane Police Station has served the Constabulary well in the past and we look forward to what the revitalised estate at our headquarters can do in enabling us to meet the challenges of a modern-day police force.
“Local residents can be reassured that this relocation will not impact on the visibility of officers and PCSOs within Penrith and the surrounding areas. We are exploring opportunities with partners to maintain a visible police presence in the town centre.
“It is our hope that the future-proofed building will enable us to exploit the continued advancement in technology to continue to provide the best possible service to the public.”
