MINISTERS have scrapped controversial plans to move control of Merseyside’s fire service to Warrington.

Yesterday’s decision followed a sustained campaign by firefighters and unions, who feared the move would put lives at risk.

It seemed to end years of insecurity and confusion over the Fire Control project across Merseyside.

But the decision left a question mark over the new command centre on Lingley Mere Business Park, in Great Sankey, which was due to become operational next May and is already costing taxpayers £100,000 a month to stand idle. Communities ministers Bob Neill and Baroness Hanham announced the decision in a joint statement.

They pulled the plug on Warrington, which officially opened in August last year, and eight other regional control centres because of ongoing computer failures involving private contractor Cassidian to deliver systems “on time, cost and quality”. They also insisted no additional taxpayers’ money would be poured into the system.

Mr Neill said: “I know the uncertainty of this project has been frustrating and unsettling for the fire and rescue community and those closely concerned with their interests.

“My objective was to deliver operational certainty for the service and financial certainty for the taxpayer.”

But he did not rule out any future cost-effective decision to continue with the programme if there was a strong local case.

The Fire Brigades Union, which campaigned fiercely against shifting control centres from Liverpool and Manchester, welcomed the news.