A life-saving paramedic service is set to continue following fears it would be scrapped over the winter months.
The Cycling Response Unit (CRU) in Wells-next-the-Sea - known locally as “Paramedics on Bikes” - had been under review by the East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) following concerns over lower winter demand and adverse weather conditions.
However, following a flurry of feedback from locals and a consultation with North Norfolk MP Steff Aquarone, a spokesman from EEAST has said there will be no changes to the service, which had previously operated 365 days a year.
Mr Aquarone met EEAST leaders, including chief executive Neill Moloney and head of clinical operations Kyle Hampshire-Smith, at Wells Community Hospital on Friday to discuss the future of the unit.
He said: “I’m pleased to confirm that the cycling paramedics will remain in place in Wells this winter, where they will respond to urgent incidents, reassure patients, cut delays and deliver vital care to those in the community who need it most.”
The cycle medics were launched after figures made public in 2019 showed Wells had the worst ambulance response times in the country.
Over the past year the team has responded to 254 callouts, and been first on scene at 95pc of incidents in the town.
It has also been nominated for an East of England Ambulance Trust award.
Mr Aquarone had previously warned that withdrawing the service would “risk minutes we can’t afford to lose”, especially for rural residents hit hardest by winter pressures.
In January, the town's community helped raise £6,000 to purchase an e-bike for the CRU.
An EEAST spokesman said: “Following a review of the cycle response unit in Wells-next-the-Sea, there will be no changes to the service over winter.
“EEAST continually reviews the deployment of all its resources to ensure we are providing the best possible care to our patients.”
