EEAST breaks ground for new Bury ambulance station

The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) has broken ground at its new multimillion pound ambulance station near Bury St Edmunds.

EEAST CEO Tom Abell donned his hard hat and high visibility vest to visit the site.

The new station will include a vehicle workshop and dedicated vehicle preparation areas so crews can get out to help patients more quickly.

The building, which will cost around £10 million, also includes improved facilities for staff - including a gym and wellbeing facilities - and is due to be completed next summer.   

Work started earlier this year with ground clearance and site enabling works, the foundations have been poured and the ground floor slab is complete.

The next stage is erection of the steel frame, with walls and roof following shortly after, ensuring the building is watertight before the interior finish begins.

Tom met with EEAST colleagues who will be using the new building, as well as Ashley Seymour, development director at Assura, before walking the footprint of the new hub.

Tom said:

“It’s great to see work underway on this new building, which will mean our colleagues can spend more time every shift helping patients instead of stocking their vehicle at the start of a shift.

“We’ll also be able to provide a better environment for our colleagues, with improved facilities and wellbeing areas.”

Ashley Seymour, development director at Assura plc said:

“We’re very excited to see this innovative new building coming out of the ground. The new facility will make a tangible difference to the staff experience and improve emergency service delivery across the region.”