NEW training and vehicle facilities will be built if a £2million upgrade of an ambulance station is approved.

The East of England Ambulance Service is hoping to undertake a major modernisation of its station in Great Oaks, near Basildon town centre.

The project would be funded entirely by South West Essex Primary Care Trust (PCT). Eight new jobs would be created at the station if the plans receive approval from Basildon Council.

An old garage at the site would be demolished to make way for a two-storey extension, which would house a facility for ambulance vehicles serving south west Essex.

The centre would be the first custom-made training facility for ambulance staff in south Essex.

Simon Eatherton, general manager for the ambulance service, said the station had not been modernised for several years.

He said: “Everyone’s excited about the plan because it would make a real difference to the patients and staff. It would improve patient care and response times and it also means we’ll be able to do our training locally, keeping our people in the right place.”

Other improvements include upgrades for the site’s staff room, kit room, showers and toilets.

Mr Eatherton said the service’s target of reaching 75 per cent of calls within eight minutes was already being met, but the upgrade would ensure the target time was maintained.

He said he hoped to receive planning approval in March, with the upgrade finished by the middle of next year.

Barbara Stuttle, deputy chief executive of South West Essex PCT, said: “Patients are entitled to the best possible care, with high clinical standards and up-to-the-minute resources.

“This collaboration with the ambulance service has involved a lot of hard work and determination, and the outcome of this joint working is very pleasing.”