BOSSES have pledged that Burnley will keep its ambulance station if plans to extend Manchester Road railway car park go ahead.

The Lancashire Telegraph revealed this year that Lancashire County Council and Burnley Council had approached North West Ambulance Service over the Dent Row building.

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Because of the success of the new faster rail services to Manchester from East Lancashire, provisions for extra car parking are being sought.

Now the county council has unveiled proposals for a 2,984 sq m parking facility, covering the ambulance station’s immediate footprint.

North West Ambulance Service spokesman Ian Pattison said: “There is an ongoing review of ambulance stations by NWAS.

“We are exploring options for our Burnley station but no decisions have been taken and our discussions are still in the early stages.

“If any proposals do proceed we would be looking at the relocation of our station in Burnley.

“Burnley would definitely have an ambulance station in future.”

More bike stands will be provided alongside disabled parking spaces, to meet required standards, with the Dent Row site offering a level access to Manchester Road station.

A Lancashire County Council planning agent said: “The proposed car park is funded by the Burnley Pendle Growth Corridor initiative to improve the local railway station’s infrastructure and is a key part of the Burnley Manchester Road station masterplan by providing a designated overflow parking facility.”

The new station building, constructed on the site of a former dairy, is already served by a well-used car park.

The new addition would also be covered by CCTV.

On weekdays, the station is served by Northern Rail semi-fast services from Blackpool North to Leeds and York via the Caldervale Line.

And, since being established in May, an hourly service runs between Blackburn and Manchester Victoria seven days a week.