Plan to upgrade Strabane Ambulance Station

PROPOSALS for a new Ambulance Station in Strabane have been lodged.

The application by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) was submitted to Derry City and Strabane District Council's Planning Department earlier this month.

It seeks to demolish the existing buildings at Derry Road and replace it with one modular building to facilitate offices and welfare facilities.

The plans also included internal alterations to the existing garage to include a sluice facility with associated parking and site works.

The planned upgrade works have been welcome by local Sinn Féin councillors, Paul Boggs and Brian Harte.

Speaking in a joint statement after NIAS confirmed it has has secured funding to advance the work, they said: "We very much welcome confirmation that the local station is to be upgraded.

"It will involve the replacement of the existing building with a new modern purpose built structure that is fit for purpose.

"It will afford more practicality, space and comfort for staff working there."

Work is scheduled to commence on site around mid to the end of May and completion is expected around the end of July 2025.

“We have been told that during this construction phase, staff and vehicles will temporarily relocate Castlederg Ambulance Station, and this is where crews will start and finish their duty," the councillors added.

“However, to minimise the impact on ambulance provision in the Strabane area, NIAS has liaised with their Fire Service colleagues, who have agreed to the use of their station in the town to serve as a deployment location.

"We have been asked to assure the public that any disruption to ambulance provision will be minimal."