A motion in the Senedd aimed at keeping the Wales Air Ambulance bases in Welshpool and Caernarfon has been voted down.

The motion brought forward by the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru also received support from the Liberal Democrats – but was rejected, with the government saying that they would wait for the results of the public consultation.

Politicians from around the local area supported with the motion being moved forward by Montgomeryshire MS, Russell George.

The motion was also backed by fellow Conservative and MS for Brecon and Radnorshire and said the service was essential.

“As a rural area, we don't have many of the things that people in more densely populated parts of Wales take for granted, we don't have the services that other parts of Wales rely on,” said Mr Evans.

“It's literally a lifesaver for many people in Brecon & Radnorshire and beyond. Shutting the Welshpool base will reduce the ability of the Air Ambulance to fulfil its role in our area."

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Neighbouring member and Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds also backed the motion and said: “Unless it can be proved beyond doubt that these proposals will increase the number of lives saved in Mid Wales, then I am unwilling to support a decision which may in fact lead to a degradation of service for the residents which I represent.”

Cefin Campbell the Plaid Cymru MS for Mid and West Wales also voiced his support, warning the current proposal to close the base would damage the service in the eyes of the public – “It's disappointing that the air ambulance’s roots in its community, and the sense of local ownership of the service, are at risk due to the plans to relocate the service.”

Welsh Health Minister Eluned Morgan MS said there had been some important points had been made including “the fact that when it's difficult for a helicopter to reach a certain place, you would have to use a vehicle, and that is far more difficult in rural areas. I'm sure that will be taken into account during the inquiry and the review.”

Ms Morgan encouraged the public to take part in the public consultation – “I would suggest that people do respond to this; that's the whole point of having this review.

“To be clear, no decision has been made. As part of the evidence-gathering process, the chief commissioner is establishing a robust process to evaluate the options in order to ensure that the best possible decision is made on the future of the EMRTS service in Wales."

Mr George said after the debate that he was pleased with the cross-party support the motion had gained, adding: “What I wanted to achieve was for Senedd members to be aware of the significant frustration from Mid and North Wales residents about the proposals to the Air Ambulance bases in Welshpool and Caernarfon.

“Welsh Government Ministers have attempted to distance themselves from responsibility and I was pleased in responding to me the minister seemed to recognise that there has been confusion since last August and accepts the Welsh government’s responsibility in the proposals”

“I was pleased that Senedd members from across parties and backed up my view that the analysis and data that the original proposals were based on were so questionable and were based on inaccurate assumptions.

“I now want Welsh Government Ministers to work with their NHS partners to ensure that the proposals that come forward retain the bases in Welshpool and Caernarfon because we need a safe Air Ambulance in mid Wales.”