Shropshire ambulance stations in £1.5m sale
Three ambulance stations in Shropshire are to be put up for sale with a combined price tag of almost £1.5 million.
The buildings – in Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Whitchurch – have become redundant as part of West Midlands Ambulance Service's controversial 'Make Ready' programme.
Under the scheme, two 24-hour fleet maintenance hubs have been created to replace self-contained ambulance stations in towns across the county.
The hubs are at the Abella Business Park in Longden Road, Shrewsbury and Wrekin Drive in Donnington, Telford.
In addition the ambulance service is leasing a network of community ambulance stations – three in Shrewsbury – which it says saves money on maintenance and running costs.
The trio of 'surplus to requirement' buildings will be advertised for sale next week. Shrewsbury Ambulance Station in Abbey Foregate is being marketed for £800,000. In Whitchurch, the ambulance station in Queens Way, will be advertised for £300,000.
Oswestry Ambulance Station, in Morda Road, is going on sale with offers invited in the region of £350,000.
Chris Kowalik, for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said there were now three community ambulance stations operating around Shrewsbury, one in Oswestry at the Primary Care Centre and a new one being created in Whitchurch.
Mr Kowalik said: "The new Community Ambulance Stations have replaced some of the traditionally-owned ambulance stations in the county, are lower maintenance and therefore have lower running costs.
"Consequently, three traditionally-owned ambulance stations in Shropshire are due to be advertised as for sale next week."
Critics of the Make Ready programme fear it will take too long for ambulances to reach the market towns if they have to travel from Shrewsbury or Donnington.
Star comment: Ambulance service in Shropshire must move with the times
