Ambulance station axe fear dismissed

Rumours that ambulance stations in some Shropshire market towns are facing closure have been dismissed by officials who say there are no plans to shut them in the "foreseeable future".

Sources in Whitchurch said they had been made aware of claims that the town's ambulance station was facing closure.

In response, ambulance service officials today said there were no plans to axe the station and one in Market Drayton.

It comes after Phil Tinsley, who manages a sheltered housing scheme for the elderly in Whitchurch, said he was concerned by claims that the town's ambulance station was under threat of closure.

He said if true, it could pave the way for thinner ambulance cover in the north of the county.

He said: "I have heard from a good source they want to close the ambulance station in Whitchurch.

"It's caused a lot of concern for us as we use the ambulance service quite often.

"If it closed and they moved the service to Shrewsbury it would become at least a 15 to 20- minute drive for them to get here.

"Already twice this week we've called for an ambulance and crews were able to attend shortly after we put the phone down to the control centre.

"We've grown used to the reassurance of the crews knocking on the door moments after we place our 999 call.

"If this is true it's going to be a bigger wait for us until an ambulance is available and we have lots of residents who are in their 70s and above. Many have health problems.

"I'm worried for the town and the area as Whitchurch has quite a high elderly population who rely on these types of essential services," added Mr Tinsley.

Suzie Fothergill, a spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "West Midlands Ambulance Service has every intention of maintaining an ambulance facility in Whitchurch and Market Drayton for the foreseeable future."