AMBULANCE chiefs hope paramedics may be able to move into their new state-of-the-art base in York sooner than expected.

Work on a £2 million project to create a modern permanent centre of operations for Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) in the city is ahead of schedule.

The target date for the completion of the scheme at Yearsley Bridge has been set as October, with YAS saying it will increase its ability to provide a swift response to accidents and emergencies in York.

Crews have now moved out of their previous, outdated city centre base in Dundas Street, off Hungate, having stayed there longer than planned to deal with demand over the winter months.

They will now be housed at a temporary facility off the A19 at Clifton Moor until the Yearsley Bridge station is ready, and Vince Larvin, YAS' assistant director of operations for North Yorkshire, said: "If there is a possibility of moving in earlier, we will certainly be pushing for it."

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