News Release

2nd December 2004

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS ON TOLL ROAD ACCESS FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES

Michael Fabricant is tabling emergency Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport following an incident at the Weeford exit of the M6 Toll Motorway near Lichfield Wednesday night when an emergency ambulance with blue light flashing was held at the toll booth.

Michael Fabricant says: "This is disgraceful and could cost lives. Although the vehicle was not a traditionally shaped large ambulance, it had official blue emergency lights on the top, the official Crown emblem of the Staffordshire Ambulance Service on the doors, and was clearly marked on the bonnet with the ambulance symbol. I am asking Secretary of State for Transport Alistair Darling to make a statement about the whole incident. Emergency vehicles must be allowed to exit the toll road without delay."

Bob Lee for the Staffordshire Ambulance Service said all the above had been agreed with the operator of the M6 Toll, Midland Expressway Limited, as being sufficient for recognition as an ambulance vehicle. He said the paramedic called his control centre and a senior officer telephoned the toll booth operator to explain the situation. Mr Lee said while this was happening, the paramedic received the emergency call, but he still had to wait with his blue lights flashing before he was allowed to exit. "It was clearly marked, clearly an ambulance vehicle, clearly going on an emergency call and yet still despite all the assurances from the toll operator this vehicle was delayed. Now that potentially puts lives at risk and we're at a loss what to do. This is not the first time this has happened and enough is enough."

Tom Fanning managing director of the operators of the M6 Toll, Midland Expressway Limited, denied the vehicle was a clearly marked ambulance. "Ambulances that are not clearly liveried are allowed through providing the agreed procedures are followed, in that the ambulance service control room telephones ahead to give us advance warning so that we can give them free and unhindered access," he said. "No advance notice was given, however, after a brief discussion the vehicle, a Vauxhall Vectra estate, was given free passage."