LOCAL MP SUPPORTS CALLS TO HOUSE GRANGE AMBULANCE WITHIN FIRE STATION

Today, South Lakes MP Tim Farron has supported calls for the Grange Ambulance Service to be housed within the existing fire station.

Janet Willis, cabinet member on Cumbria County Council for Fire and Rescue, speaking this morning said: "North West Ambulance Service have visited Grange Fire Station to assess its suitability for the co-location of the ambulance service.

"Cumbria County Council are happy for NWAS to use the building and we are waiting for NWAS to approach us formally."

Whilst alternative locations are being looked at the most convenient, and accessible solution would be for the ambulance service to move into the fire station. Tim said: "This seems like the best solution possible for everyone involved, however, NWAS have been dragging their feet so much that we are at risk of losing the service altogether. Losing Grange ambulance station would cost lives as it would lead to even longer response times."

Mr. Thomas, a local Grange resident, has spoken on how essential the service is to himself and the community: "I suffer from COPD very badly and if the ambulance wasn't here, I might not be here as time is of the essence when I need medical attention.

"It's not just me who would be affected by this, the whole area needs to keep this service."

Tim said on the inaction of NWAS: "This is absolutely disgraceful and bordering on negligence from the NWAS, I have written to them to ask for answers on what this hold up is."

Earlier this week Tim began a petition to save the service and keep it local.