I WAS appalled to read that Greater Manchester Ambulance Service NHS Trust is considering closing Whitefield ambulance station and relocating its one emergency ambulance to the Bury station.

This news must strike fear into residents in the Whitefield area. Consider the time it would take an emergency ambulance to travel five or six miles from Bury, instead of a mile or so from Whitefield (this is always assuming that an emergency ambulance is available and that it isn't already out on a call).

An added worry is that there will be no emergency ambulance in the vicinity of the M60(62), especially in view of the notorious "Death Valley" blackspot.

We are continually being told by the powers-that-be that these changes are designed to improve and streamline the service, but I feel it has got more to do with economics and the rundown of our public services.

It is also regrettable that millions of pounds of public money is wasted on useless nuclear weapons such as Trident, instead of providing ambulances, fire engines, libraries and a properly-funded state pension, and national and education services.

If people are genuinely concerned about this situation, as I am, then I suggest they voice their objections to their MP and to GMAS.

NEVILLE BALL,

Peveril Close,

Whitefield.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.