Ambulance service chiefs are launching an urgent review into the impact of a low traffic neighbourhood scheme amid fears paramedics may have been delayed in getting to patients.
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) say there have been a ‘number of delays’ due to Stockport Council’s ‘Active Neighbourhood’ scheme.
The trial scheme, launched in the Heaton Chapel area of Greater Manchester in September, has seen roads blocked off with traffic-calming flower beds in a bid to cut off rat-runs and ultimately reduce traffic.
But ambulance service chiefs say paramedics have had to ‘navigate around’ the road closures.
Astonishing CCTV, flagged to council chiefs by concerned residents, appears to show ambulances on blue lights have to u-turn in the road due to the planters.
Council bosses say all emergency services were consulted before the three month trial, which is due to end next month.
However they are now ‘urgently awaiting’ the findings of a review by NWAS who said in a statement: ‘The trust has looked into some of the incidents reported by residents and found that there were a number of delays, as some ambulances had to navigate around the road closures.
Read More: Ambulances on blue lights forced to u-turn due to low traffic scheme
