Fears over the uncertain future of Purley ambulance station have been allayed by Mayday Hospital chiefs.

South west sector commander for London Ambulance, John Berry, said lives could be put at risk if the proposed redevelopment of Purley Hospital ignored the needs of the ambulance service.

But Mayday NHS Trust's chief executive, Keith Ford, confirmed the temporary substation currently sited at the Brighton Road hospital could be made a permanent base for ambulances and crews.

Ambulance crews moved to Purley Hospital after the lease on the service's previous base in Old Lodge Lane, Purley, expired earlier in the year.

In a letter to Croydon South Tory MP Richard Ottaway, Mr Berry said: “If the London Ambulance Service is not included in this redevelopment, the likelihood of us maintaining a permanent presence in the very south of the borough is unlikely.

“If I am to reach and maintain the performance targets set for life threatening emergency calls in the most southerly wards of Croydon then we need to have a permanent presence in the area.”

Mr Ford said he was surprised that Mr Berry had approached Mr Ottaway because the trust had helped them out at short notice when the lease ran out, including giving them four parking spaces.

He added: “We are planning the future of Purley and would expect that if London Ambulance require better facilities within the new development they would write and ask the trust.”