Grange Ambulance Service likely to move into fire station

The residents of the seaside town have been worried that their vital ambulance service would have to move out of the local area after the current landowners said that they needed the space last August. 1,400 people signed the petition to 'save Grange Ambulance Station.' 

The NWAS had leased the land from the grocers' Fletchers for 20 years.

NWAS sector manager Rick Shaw said: "The Grange station is a small one with only one 24-hour emergency ambulance but it is a part of the community and our records show that the town does need its own ambulance base."

In December, Fletchers extended the NWAS lease temporarily, which gave the service six months until it had to move out. 

However, it seems that a solution has been found in the fire station. 

South Lakes MP Tim Farron said: "This morning I chaired a meeting with representatives of NWAS and the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) regarding the future of Grange Ambulance Station.

"Over the last few months we have been working together to explore the possibility of the Ambulance Service moving to a shared space at the Fire Station in Grange.  Following this morning's meeting, I am pleased to say that good progress is being made towards the Ambulance based at Grange moving to co-locate alongside the Fire Service and that the North West Ambulance Service and the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service have now come to an agreement in principle. 

"While there are still details to be worked out, both the Ambulance Service and the Fire Rescue Service are confident that the new premises will be ready by the time they need to vacate the current station.

"We will keep people updated with progress and while it’s not quite time to start popping the champagne cork yet, it is very good news that a long term future for the Grange Ambulance service is now in sight.”

Mr Farron thanks John Beard from CFRS and Matt Cooper from NWAS, and the residents who signed the petition.