Plans to move a fire engine from Kingston to New Malden have been shelved amid protests the proposals could put lives in danger.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) announced on Wednesday that proposals to move the engine would be put on hold for a year, despite originally claiming the plans would improve response times in the borough.

Critics of the proposals, including some of the borough’s firefighters, claimed the move would leave residents in surrounding areas such as Norbiton, Surbiton and neighbouring Richmond at risk.

David Waterman, South west area chair at Fire Brigades Union, said: “With regards to the work done by firefighters in Kingston it’s a huge victory.

“There were other concerns such as the suitability of New Malden. I know (LFB) were directly involved with the union and listened to the arguments.”

Norbiton ward councillor Linsey Cottingham campaigned with firefighters, claiming that five of the borough's 16 wards would be adversely affected.

She said: "It's very important that we fight for frontline services in Kingston. This is a huge victory.

"We are glad that the LFB has been listening to residents - we've done ahuge amount of work on this.

"The loss of that fire engine would have been a serious blow to services in our area."

According to LFB, 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.

It was hoped the move would improve the figures by three and 17 seconds respectively.

A spokesman for LFB said: “A change to the original proposals is that Kingston’s fire engine move to New Malden has been put on hold.

"Second fire engine attendance performance in Kingston has come into the eight minute average target for the first time and that alongside local concerns means the move will be reviewed in a year’s time using the Brigade’s detailed modelling data."

A public consultation into the proposals was run by LFB, though the service was forced to launch a further appeal to residents after only 12 people responded.

Increased publicity saw numerous politicians, including north Kingston MP Sarah Olney, back the campaign to stop the move.

Canbury ward councillor Andrea Craig has been campaigning to stop the move.

She said: “I was quite surprised because no one seemed to be paying any attention to it. The consultation was almost none existent and that was worrying in itself.

“Their argument was that no one was interested and that was of course absolute rubbish. I’m really pleased that they listened and obviously we as a community are delighted.

“Let’s make sure the next consultation is meaningful.”

Tony Arbour, London Assembly member for Kingston, has welcomed the change.

He said: “LFB have listened to the representations made by my colleagues in Ham and Petersham, as well as in north Kingston, making it clear that the original proposal to move the engine to New Malden fire station would adversely affect their residents.

“The fire brigade will continue to be able to meet its targets for keeping our boroughs safe. My constituents can be sure that when the decision is reviewed in a year’s time I will continue to defend their interests.”