Talks set with Tesco on maintaining 24-hour access to filling station in Dingwall
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A Highland MSP has finally secured a date for talks with representatives of a retail giant over maintaining 24-hour access to fuel at a Dingwall filling station.
Ambulance staff raised concerns about changes at the Tesco filling station in Dingwall earlier this year when 24-hour access was cut back.
Dingwall-based MSP Kate Forbes first raised the issue of the overnight closure back in January after being approached by local emergency personnel.
Some emergency services personnel feared that being forced to refuel in Inverness could have serious potential knock-on effects as regulations state the nearest ambulance must respond to a call-out. They feared that could mean a Dingwall-based crew might have to attend an incident in Inverness leaving their own large area under-staffed.
An emergency services source who wished to remain anonymous said: “We’re very concerned. The fuel station not being available 24 hours a day means we have to go out of area to get fuel, usually to Inverness. This means there is reduced cover for Dingwall and the surrounding area.”
Miss Forbes said: “I’m pleased that I have been able to secure a date for a meeting with a senior representative with Tesco, and I look forward to receiving an update from them on the filling station.
“The sooner we can get the overnight pay at the pump facility working again, the better.”
Earlier, a Tesco spokesman hinted the change in opening hours might only be temporary, but would not say when 24-hour cover would be restored.
He said: “We are awaiting an upgrade to our petrol station. We enjoy a good working relationship with the emergency services locally and would be happy to meet with them to discuss solutions.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service played down the worries that refuelling in Inverness was a problem, saying: “We are not concerned about the impact of this closure on our services – our crews plan ahead, ensuring emergency vehicles have sufficient fuel and they regularly transfer patients to hospital in Inverness, giving them plenty of opportunities to fill up.”
