RESIDENTS are demanding that Shoebury Ambulance Station is improved and its long-term future guaranteed by trust bosses.

Ahead of a meeting next week, the East of England Ambulance Service Trust has confirmed there are “no plans to close Shoebury Ambulance Station in the next fiscal year”.

However, after the station in Campfield Road escaped plans to close in 2019, residents and councillors are demanding the service commits to it staying open for much longer and improves the station to meet the growing number of people living in the area.

Southend Kursaal independent councillor, Tricia Cowdrey, has campaigned since 2020 for the station to be maintained.

Ms Cowdrey said: “Before I was even elected, I was campaigning on this because the station was to be downgraded.

“Guaranteeing for just this fiscal year is not acceptable. Residents will be right on top of this, everyone will be up in arms. I don’t see how any change could be made without a consultation, though.

“We are seeing more than 70 homes on the Cantel site and more on the Bellway site across the road from the Ambulance station and in Great Wakering, which the station also serves.

“There should be two ambulances. That was a downgrade and we were told the station wasn’t affected. I only see one ambulance.”

Following a campaign from residents and councillors, the ambulance service “paused” plans to close the station in 2022.

Shoebury resident, Peter Lovett, said: “It’s a difficult situation. The ambulance service has made a good case that the odds of an ambulance response are not affected by where they are and the station in Aviation Way is more modern.

“The Shoebury station has no facilities, and it is not modern. I would rather we get a new Shoebury station, the current one floods quite often.

“It made a lot of sense when it was reviewed that they would keep it going but it needs to be improved.”

A spokesman for East of England Ambulance Service said: “We currently have no plans to close Shoebury Ambulance Station.

“Any future plans would be developed through proactive engagement with our stakeholders and the community.”