Firefighters serving Hitchin and communities across Hertfordshire will train at one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in the UK under major redevelopment plans.

Work has begun on transforming the Longfield Fire and Rescue Training Centre in Stevenage, with the new facility expected to be completed in October 2027.

The Hertfordshire County Council-funded project will include a five-storey Operational Live Fire Training (OLFT) facility where crews can train in realistic conditions involving flames, heat, smoke and restricted visibility.

It will recreate a range of environments firefighters could encounter when responding to emergencies, including high-rise buildings, houses, flats, stairwells, basements and garages.

One of the most eye-catching additions will be a full-scale replica of a six-lane motorway.

Complete with an overhead steel gantry, central reservation, hard shoulders, signs and lighting, it will allow firefighters to train for major road incidents during both the day and night.

Crews will be able to practise responding to scenarios including multi-vehicle collisions and extracting casualties from vehicles, while the facility will also be available for joint exercises with other emergency services.

The redevelopment will include enhanced contamination controls and dedicated decontamination areas designed to reduce firefighters' exposure to potentially harmful contaminants.

Improved welfare facilities and energy-efficient infrastructure will also form part of the project.

Cllr Ajanta Hilton, Hertfordshire County Council's Executive Member for Public Health and Community Safety, said: "This redevelopment represents a major investment in the future of Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service and demonstrates our commitment to keeping residents safe.

"Our firefighters respond to some of the most challenging and demanding situations imaginable. It is vital that they have access to facilities that prepare them for those incidents safely and effectively.

"This redevelopment will ensure Hertfordshire remains at the forefront of firefighter training for many years to come."

Chief Fire Officer Alex Woodman said the authority was creating "one of the most modern training facilities in the country".

He added: "This is a significant investment in our firefighters and staff.

"By providing world class training facilities and realistic operational environments, we are investing in their development, their safety and their ability to deliver the very best service to the people of Hertfordshire."

The scheme is being delivered by Hertfordshire County Council, with Morgan Sindall Construction acting as the principal contractor and support from Odyssey Projects Limited and Holmes Miller.

Rod Pavey, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said the new live-fire facility and mock motorway would "significantly increase the range of scenarios that can be safely practised".

An official groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Longfield site on September 28.

The new training centre is scheduled to be completed in October 2027.