The mayor of Welshpool said he was “appalled” over news that the town’s air ambulance base would be closing at a recent council meeting.

Following the announcement on April 23 that the Welsh NHS’s Joint Commissioning Committee made a majority decision to approve the closure of the Welshpool and Caernarfon air ambulance bases, the issue was raised at a recent meeting of Welshpool Town Council.

At the meeting, held on Wednesday, April 24, town mayor Nick Howells labelled the decision “appalling” and called for councillors to approve a letter on behalf of the council to the air ambulance with their thoughts on the decision and the impact it will have on Welshpool and Mid Wales.

Cllr Howells said: “I’m sure we all know and are appalled at the situation regarding the air ambulance.

"We don’t  really have any authority to do anything about it or influence the decision, but I’d like to produce a letter on behalf of Welshpool town council to express our displeasure with the decision.

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“I think we really need to lay it on thick and let them know what we think. I would also like the letter to be widely publicised so the town residents know where we stand.”

The official letter, which councillors unanimously voted in favour of, would add to the number of politicians and groups who have criticised the decision, as well as councillors from the Welshpool area who have already expressed disappointment with the move.

Graham Breeze, Powys councillor for the Welshpool Llanerchyddol ward, said: “I am far from happy by the way today’s meeting was led and it was obvious that the voices of those speaking in opposition carried very little weight.

“This is a very sad day for the people of the Welshpool area and indeed the whole of central Wales.

“Watching the meeting of the Health Boards it was clear that not all of the representatives were completely happy that the recommendations to approve the closures of Welshpool and Caernarfon bases gave assurance that Mid Wales and North West Wales would not be left with a poorer service.

“Additional Rapid Response Vehicles in the North was recommended but it was clear that the process had not yet been properly thought through or costed so it was good to see this questioned.

“Two of the Health Boards, including Powys, did not offer support but the proposals went through anyway.

“This decision will lead to real public confidence issues.”