New £1.2m Shrewsbury 999 hub gets go-ahead despite fears
Shrewsbury's new £1.2 million ambulance station has been given the go-ahead despite fears over the risks of speeding vehicles to pupils at two nearby schools.
Shropshire Council's central planning committee approved the application yesterday at a meeting at Shirehall, saying they could find no good reason to oppose it.
Simon Lewis, head of estate for the West Midlands Ambulance Service, said the base would be used to repair and re-stock ambulances and would not be intended for use to send out vehicles on blue light emergencies.
He said: "The location is currently that of an industrial estate and it would be used as a hub to repair and replenish ambulances. For example they would come to the hub to be re-stocked of equipment before returning to bases across the town for emergency call-outs.
"It would also be used for staff and training days."
The 12,500 sq ft ambulance station hub will be based at Abella Business Centre, off Longden Road.
Before the meeting, Meole Village Residents' Association raised concerns that the station, which is close to Meole Brace and Priory secondary schools, would put pupils at risk from speeding emergency vehicles during peak times of the day.
But Councillor Tony Durnell said: "I am heartened to hear it won't be used for emergency calls and that was my only issue."
Councillor Roger Evans added: "I have no reason not to approve this application."
