A RETIRED GP has raised concerns about access to an accident and emergency unit after roadworks closed a main road out of Chester.
Dr Allan Fowler, 68, of Rough Hill, Chester, has logged his concerns with the Gas Alliance and highways chiefs about the closure of Parkgate Road from the Fountains Roundabout in Chester.
Dr Fowler, who practised in Chester for 30 years, said the closure could have a detrimental effect on motorists and ambulances, rushing to get people to the accident and emergency department at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Dr Fowler said: “It is one of the principal entry points into the accident and emergency unit at the Countess from the city.
“It is a very serious matter. What if a child were sick and its parents were trying to get to the hospital via the Fountains Roundabout?
“The diversion is confusing and could cost vital minutes.”
Dr Fowler said his wife, Barbara, 63, was rushed to the unit via ambulance in November after suffering a stroke. He said the ambulance had rushed down Parkgate Road to the hospital, before the works had begun.
He added: “I consider it a danger to those who need emergency medical care – I don’t think it’s safe and if someone is sick and needs to get there and panics it means it may not be easily accessed when it is needed most.”
Highways chiefs, ambulance bosses and planners from the Gas Alliance who have closed the road due to mains replacement work, met before work started to create diversion plans, which were published online, in print, on broadcast media and on signage in the weeks leading up to the start of the work.
A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said: “The service receives full notification from the relevant authority prior to the introduction of maintenance works.
“Our staff are well trained and experienced emergency drivers, as well as being highly skilled medical personnel, and are used to dealing with congestion and road works.
“NWAS will continue to make every effort to ensure vehicles face minimum disruption as road works continue.”
A spokesman for the Gas Alliance said: “We have done everything we can to raise awareness of the work and we have worked with Cheshire West and Chester’s traffic manager Helen Crawford on the diversion.
“The traffic is flowing freely and there have been no tailbacks on the roundabout reported.
“We think that is testament to the amount of publicity we have given to the work as people are well aware of it.”
As spokesman from Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “We have worked with the Gas Alilance on these works and the emergency services’ views were taken into consideration in the planning stages.
“The works have been designed to comply with health and safety regulations to reduce congestion wherever possible to minimise disruptions to motorists.”