The number of staff working at Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s headquarters will drop as part of changes which will see Avon Fire and Rescue Service share the base.

Police have told the Times it will be moving some of its administrative staff away from its headquarters in Valley Road, meaning the fire service’s relocation should not lead to more drivers using roads around the town.

The fire service announced in July it will be moving staff from Bristol to Portishead to cut costs ‘within 12 months’, and there were fears from some people within the town that it would lead to increased congestion around Portishead.

However, the police have sought to downplay those fears this week.

Its spokesman said: “The move of Avon Fire and Rescue Service staff and officers to the Portishead headquarters site of Avon and Somerset Constabulary offers an opportunity for future joined-up working between the two services as well as financial savings.

“We would like to reassure residents the move will have little effect on the surrounding area and both organisations are working together to ensure this is the case.

“While approximately 85 people from the fire service will be moving to the site, the police force also has plans to move a similar number of people to other locations around Avon and Somerset, including to the new Hand Specialist Operations Centre near Clevedon, which will result in little change in the number of people permanently based at the Portishead site.

“Work is currently being carried out to reorganise parking spaces at the police headquarters to create more capacity – this is to ensure there are more than enough spaces available on particularly busy days at the site and to ensure vehicles are not parked on surrounding roads.

“We also want to reassure residents that large fire tenders will not be kept at the Portishead facility.

“As a constabulary we actively promote sustainable travel to our staff and officers. We also have a travel plan dedicated to our headquarter site which aims to reduce emissions, relieve road congestion, improve our efficiency and improve the health and wellbeing of our employees.

“We will also be working with Avon Fire and Rescue Service on the creation of a sustainable travel plan for its staff and officers.”

Before the fire service’s relocation was confirmed, a number of fire service employees said they did not want the Portishead move to get the go-ahead because they did not want to commute and did not believe the public transport options were good enough.