The public consultation on the proposed closure of the Welshpool Air Ambulance base is set to be delayed until at least next month, it has been confirmed.

The news was confirmed in letter by chief ambulance services commissioner Stephen Harrhy who will be running the public consultation on behalf of the NHS.

The County Times reported earlier this week that the delay was likely as the schedule of the consultation had still to be confirmed.

“Work is continuing on the engagement materials (which will include timelines) but understandably our team has also been very busy supporting the NHS response to the current pressures facing the emergency care system and our patients,” said Mr Harrhy.

“With apologies this does mean that the materials are not yet ready and therefore we will not be starting the formal process on 9 January 2023 (next week)."

In a statement the NHS’s Emergency Ambulance Service Commission (EASC) confirmed that the consultation would not be happening before the beginning of February.

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“We are hoping to share information as soon as possible, and now expect these to be available by early February and we appreciate your understanding during this period,” added Mr Harrhy

The proposal, which would see the closure of the Welshpool and Caernarfon bases and the crews combined at a new North Wales site, has gained a large amount of public interest with over 20,000 people signing a petition to keep the bases in their current location.

The EASC Team have said that “they are working with experts in Health Boards and with Community Health Councils to develop engagement materials” and will only start the public consultation when that process has finished.

Mr Harrhy said: “This will ensure that the benefits or otherwise of each option are clearly set out and weighed up as part of an open, transparent and robust process.”