Southend ambulances could be left in limbo as their new base may not be ready before they have to leave their current home.

The station is being relocated from Southend Hospital to a new base at Tesco at Prince Avenue, but the timescale of the changeover may mean ambulances will temporarily be stationed at different points in the town.

Brian Shipley, the financial director of Essex Ambulance Service admitted emergency measures were being taken.

He said: "Southend Hospital's redevelopment cannot go ahead unless we are off the site. We are trying to negotiate with Tesco to build a new ambulance station on its site, but the timescales don't quite go together.

"What we will probably have to do is to make temporary arrangements."

He said that a number of options were being looked at, including the continued use of the hospital grounds and discussions were being held with Wellesley Hospital off Eastern Avenue about using its site.

Both Mr Shipley and Frank Ward, the branch secretary of Unison - the union that represents the majority of ambulance workers in Southend - say the service to the public should not be affected.

By Alistair Walton

Reporter's e-mail: alistair.walton@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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