Plans on show for firearms facility

PORTISHEAD residents will have the chance to view plans for a new firearms training centre being planned near the town.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary is proposing creating the indoor firearms training facility at Black Rock Quarry, off Valley Road.

Consultation events will be held at the force’s headquarters, also in Valley Road, on Tuesday from 5-8pm and at the Folk Hall in High Street on October 22 from noon to 4pm.

The plans will be on show and visitors will have the chance to ask questions and give feedback.

Sergeant Dino Maddern, firearms lead for the force’s accommodation programme said: “Black Rock Quarry will provide a training hub for firearms officers across Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire which will permit officers to acquire and maintain the necessary level of skills in a safe, secure and enclosed environment. It will mean all officers will be trained to the same standard across the three forces.

“The quarry is a sensitive environmental area and the plans from both bidders have taken this on board to develop innovative designs.”

This facility will be one of four new buildings Avon and Somerset police will construct as part of its Building for the Future programme.

Construction is expected to start next summer with the building opening in early 2014.

From Tuesday, the plans will be available to view online at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/accomodation