Paramedics say potholes could cause delay in reaching patients

Paramedics have warned that large potholes on a road leading to an ambulance station in Dumfries are putting their emergency vehicles at risk.

They say their own private cars have been damaged on the craters in the road in Maxwelltown Industrial Estate - and the ambulances could be next.

Alan Campbell, the paramedic team leader at the station, said it could lead to delays in reaching patients in need.

However, it is unclear who is responsible for maintaining the road. Transport Scotland said it was trying to find out as a "matter of urgency".

Dumfries and Galloway Council, the Scottish government and a private landowner have all denied responsibility.

Campbell said Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) staff had been asked not to speak to the media about the issue.

"However, I think it only right to highlight issues that are causing staff expensive repairs to their own private cars in their duty to turn up to work and serve the public," he told BBC Scotland News.

"We also have university paramedics who do not get a wage coming to our station and do not know the road having to pay hundreds of pounds out of their own pocket for costly repairs."

He said one student paramedic was told their car was no longer roadworthy due to damage caused by the potholes.

"Staff are also concerned about the possibility of damage being caused to ambulances, putting themselves at risk and the possibility of extended delays in reaching people of our community in their time of need," he added.

He said the issue had been raised with management, who said they would look into it, but they had received no further updates.

A spokesperson for Dumfries and Galloway Council said it was responsible for the first 158m (520ft) of the road, which runs past an Aldi supermarket, but not the section approaching the ambulance station.

"The remaining section, including the stretch leading to the Scottish Ambulance Station, is owned by and remains the responsibility of the Scottish ministers, and therefore lies outwith the council's maintenance responsibilities," it said.

However, Transport Scotland said ownership was not clear cut.

A spokesperson said: "We are aware of concerns raised regarding the condition of the road running adjacent to the ambulance station in Dumfries.

"Responsibility for the road is understood to be shared between a number of parties, and we are working to establish the precise maintenance responsibilities as a matter of urgency.

"We will engage with the relevant parties to ensure the appropriate authority is aware of the concerns raised and that they are addressed as quickly as possible."

The SAS refused to comment.