Montgomeryshire politicians are encouraging people to take part in a final round of engagement as disappointing news emerges regarding preferred options.
A final decision is due to be announced in March, but papers published this week indicate that despite 6 options remaining and the two that have been identified as the ‘strongest options’, would see the Welshpool's base close.
The third and final consultation stage will run from February 1st – 29th, before the final decision is made in March. Local politicians Russell George MS and Craig Williams MP have urged residents to make one last push by making their voices heard.
More details of how you can respond to the final consultation phase are due to be made public soon.
Commenting, Russell George MS said:
‘Papers that have become public this week, show us, that despite 6 options remaining, the two that have been identified as the strongest options, would see the Welshpool base close.
Throughout this long and turbulent process, the public’s view has been overwhelmingly united towards preserving the current arrangements.
We need a powerful show of support to keep the Welshpool base open, The final consultation will run between February 1st to 29th. I will keep working with Craig Williams MP and other local campaigners.
Retaining Welshpool and Caernarfon’s bases is the best option for a reliable air ambulance service to serve the people across Mid and North Wales.’
Urging residents to contribute to the final consultation, Craig Willaims MP said:
‘The Papers that have now been published ahead of a meeting next week of the Emergency Ambulance Services Committee, contain concerning news for the campaign to keep the Welshpool's Air Ambulance base open for the long term.
‘It is clear to me that closing the Welshpool bases in favour of a single North Wales base would have a significant detrimental effect on the ability of the Wales Air Ambulance service to operate as effectively as it does now to large areas of Mid Wales.
I hope that residents make their voices heard and that decision makers listens to the thousands of residents across mid Wales that love and appreciate the Air Ambulance service.’
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