Firefighters’ response to life-threatening situations in areas near Kingston will become slower if plans to move a fire engine are approved, critics have claimed.

London Fire Brigade is proposing to move a fire engine from Kingston station to New Malden, a plan it claims will improve response times in the borough.

But the proposals have been met with a backlash in surrounding areas, with Ham councillor Penny Frost claiming Petersham, Surbiton and Ham would suffer.

From January: Only 12 residents respond to consultation on moving fire engine from Kingston to New Malden

She said station chiefs from Kingston and Richmond were so concerned by the proposals met to discuss the plans, only to for firefighters to criticise the plans.

Cllr Frost said: “This is a matter of great concern, as Ham and Petersham will be left very vulnerable in the event of a major incident if these proposals go through.

“I have called on the London Fire Brigade to extend the closing date for the consultation and provide a drop-in at Kingston Fire Station so that our local residents can be properly consulted on the loss of our second appliance from Kingston Fire Station and its proposed relocation to New Malden."

Firefighters currently take five minutes and 58 seconds to arrive on scene in Kingston, with a second engine taking eight minutes and three seconds – 31 and 17 seconds longer than the capital’s average.

LFB believe the move will improve the figures by three and 17 seconds respectively.

A public consultation is being run by the fire service, though as of last week only 12 people in Kingston had responded.

London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton said: “Fire doesn’t discriminate and our four year plan affects everyone no matter what gender, religion or ethnicity. 

“In my first few weeks in the job I’ve been out talking to a number of people and I know how important the brigade is to Londoners so don’t miss out on the chance to scope our service in the future.”

LFB has launched its draft four year plan for making the capital the world’s “safest global city”, including increasing terrorism response capabilities.

The authority currently aims to get a fire engine on scene within six minutes of leaving a station.

There are no plans to reduce the number of firefighters or engines, though £6.4m-worth of cuts are expected to be made in 2017 with LFB having already consulted on proposals.