The Welshpool Air Ambulance base will officially close after 2026 after a final vote on the matter by health boards.

In a meeting of the Welsh NHS’ Joint Commissioning Committee, it was voted that the base which has served Powys for nearly 20 years will be closed along with the base in Caernarfon and merged into a new site in North Wales – despite fierce opposition from the public.

In a majority decision the Committee has voted for the bases to be closed, with Powys Teaching Health Board being the only board to note its opposition to the plans.

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Chief Ambulance Services Commissioner Stephen Harrhy said that the plans applied "common sense" and would allow a "special" service to improve for the whole of Wales.

The plans to close the base in Welshpool have been met with opposition from across Powys with a grassroots campaign to save the base which has seen a public petition to save the base receiving over 30,000 signatures.

Public meetings on the future of the base saw hundreds of residents attend and campaigners have undertaken a banner campaign which have been seen on roadsides across Powys and Mid Wales.

The plans have also faced cross party opposition from local politicians, with Montgomeryshire representatives Russell George MS and Craig Williams MP both frequently voicing their concerns.

They were frequently joined by Plaid Cymru who had concerns over the impact changes would have to the service in western Powys and Gwynedd.

The plans will now see work begin on moving the bases to a new site in north Wales. Mr Harrhy has said any proposed move will not come before 2026 to allow the Wales Air Ambulance Charity to adequately prepare.

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