Nick Timothy MP and Haverhill Councillor Joe Mason are fighting alongside Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore for a modern blue light hub in Haverhill and have secured support for the proposal from the East of England Ambulance Service, West Suffolk District Council and Suffolk County Council.
The new base would house the ambulance service and police, with the potential for Suffolk Fire Service to join in future.
This would deliver better integration between blue-light services and better value for taxpayers.
Mr Timothy first raised the proposal in the House of Commons in January, inviting ministers to Haverhill to discuss it with local services.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting backed the principle of co-locating public services, though ministers subsequently said they had no time to visit.
Undeterred, Mr Timothy and Cllr Mason pressed ahead. Following meetings with the East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) and Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore in July, a crucial meeting in early December brought together representatives from EEAST, Suffolk Constabulary, West Suffolk District Council and Suffolk County Council.
Members of Suffolk Constabulary’s and EEAST’s estates teams also attended.
All parties expressed strong support for the principle of investing in a modern blue light hub and committed to proceed with all haste.
Mr Timothy said: “This is a sensible and achievable project. There is no reason for delay.
“A modern blue light hub would deliver high-quality public services and urgent care for residents and demonstrate real strategic foresight for Haverhill and the surrounding area. I’m determined to maintain the momentum on this exciting project.”
Below is the text of the Haverhill Echo article published on 19 December 2025.
Haverhill Echo – Haverhill councillor Joe Mason and MP Nick Timothy receive support for new blue lights hub proposal
Unequivocal support has been expressed for a proposal to create a blue light hub in Haverhill.
Nick Timothy, MP for West Suffolk and Haverhill town, county and district councillor, Joe Mason have secured strong support for a proposal they have been working on to create a blue light hub for the town.
The new base, for which a location is being sought, would house the ambulance service and police, with the potential for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service to join in the future.
They believe that it would deliver better integration between blue light services and better value for taxpayers.
Mr Timothy first raised the proposal in the House of Commons in January, inviting ministers to Haverhill to discuss it with local services.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting backed the principle of co-locating public services, though ministers subsequently said they had no time to visit.
Undeterred, Mr Timothy and Cllr Mason pressed ahead. Following meetings with the East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) and Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore, in July, a crucial meeting in early December brought together representatives from EEAST, Suffolk Constabulary, West Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council.
Members of Suffolk Constabulary’s and EEAST’s estates teams also attended.
All parties expressed strong support for the principle of investing in a modern blue light hub and committed to proceed with all haste.
Mr Timothy said: “This is a sensible and achievable project. There is no reason for delay.
“A modern blue light hub would deliver high-quality public services and urgent care for residents and demonstrate real strategic foresight for Haverhill and the surrounding area.
“I’m determined to maintain the momentum on this exciting project.”
Cllr Mason said: “Following constructive discussions during the year with Nick Timothy, Tim Passmore and key stakeholders from the emergency services, it is encouraging to see real momentum building behind the idea of a blue light hub for Haverhill.
“I am keen to ensure that Haverhill has modern, fit-for-purpose facilities that properly support our emergency services.
“Blue light hubs offer an excellent opportunity to improve collaboration, deliver value for money for the taxpayer, and make best use of public resources.
“Haverhill is not only the fourth largest town in Suffolk but also one of the fastest growing.
“We need 21st-century services to match that growth, and with continued partnership working, I hope to see this proposal become a reality.”
Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, cabinet member for growth at West Suffolk Council, said: “West Suffolk Council is always keen to work with other public sector partners under the national One Public Estate programme, and we already share buildings in Haverhill with our partners.
“In that context we would be very supportive of the principle of a blue-light hub, and have been happy to take part in the early conversations on how to take this idea forward.
“We are also keen to ensure that all our public services can reduce their overheads whilst maintaining and increasing their service to our communities.”
Cllr Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for public health and public protection, with responsibility for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I want to thank partners for the invitation to be part of this conversation.
“Suffolk County Council has a strong track record of supporting collaboration between blue-light services, and we’ve seen the benefits of that approach across the county.
“We are always keen to explore opportunities that improve integration and deliver better value for residents.
“I look forward to hearing more detail about the proposal and discussing how Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service might be involved in the future.”
Tim Passmore also expressed support for the idea.
He said: “I’ve had a couple of exploratory meetings with the two councils and the ambulance service, and support the idea of a blue light hub in Haverhill.
“Joining up blue-light services has huge benefits; it can provide better value for money and improved services.
“Our partnership with Suffolk Fire and Rescue which has provided 13 joint police/fire stations is a good example of how this blue light collaboration works well in the county.
“The Mildenhall Hub is a similar concept and has been a tremendous success. I look forward to working with partners to bring the Haverhill project to fruition.”
An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We already have a number of co-location arrangements with fire services across the region.
“Together with Mr Timothy and other local stakeholders, we have been considering potential options for a future co-response hub in Haverhill, and we look forward to having further conversations with partners in future.”
