ANGRY crew members have threatened to close Gilesgate ambulance station in Durham on safety grounds unless 'inadequate' road gritting is improved.

Ray McDermott, secretary of the North-East Ambulance Service branch of Unison, called for action after ambulances slid out of control.

"We nearly had to take the vehicles off at Durham on Saturday night because we could not get in or out of the Gilesgate ambulance station," said Mr McDermott.

"The ambulances were sliding down the bank sideways. Fortunately there were no cars in the way. We were very concerned about staff safety. The ambulance station is on a hill and the road was just a sheet of glass.".

He added that a similar problem occurred on Monday morning.

A spokeswoman for the North-East Ambulance Service said: "We have reported the problem to the county council and they have been very helpful. Of course, the trust will monitor the situation."

Durham County Council said the road leading up to the Gilesgate ambulance station was not, and had never been, on the regular gritting route around Durham City.

A spokeswoman for the council acknowledged that budget pressures had led to a reduction in the amount of gritting and salting, but if there was a specific problem with an untreated surface, road users could contact council officials..

Requests could also be made for a roadside salt box if certain conditions were satisfied.