A scheme which would see police, fire and ambulance bases move out of central Oxford is expected to be submitted to the Government early next year.

Oxford City Council said it had been encouraged by the response of local 999 services to the idea of creating an emergency services headquarters at Pear Tree.

The city and county councils believe the move could slash response times, avoiding emergency vehicles being snarled up in Oxford’s worsening traffic congestion.

The emergency base would form part of a multi-million pound scheme to create a Northern Gateway to Oxford at Pear Tree, largely on university college owned land.

An updated map of the Northern Gateway site, about a third larger than originally envisaged, has been presented to the city council’s north area committee.

Land within the Northern Gateway Area Action Plan now includes Pear Tree Park-and-Ride and the Holiday Inn/Travel Lodge complex.

Oxfordshire’s chief Chief Fire Officer John Parry said: “I think it would enhance our overall fire cover.

“But we would still need to retain an alternative presence in the city near or around Rewley Road.”

Thames Valley Police said the force had been in discussions with the city council since 2007 about moving its city headquarters from St Aldate’s to Pear Tree.

But a spokesman said more detailed information about the scheme would be needed before there could be any commitment to relocate.

He said: “We would need to consider the full implications of such a scheme, both financially and operationally, as well as reviewing other options to ensure any strategic decision of this nature is well informed.

“If we were to relocate, then we would ensure that an ongoing but smaller city centre presence is maintained.”

The ambulance service headquarters is currently based at the Churchill Hospital in Headington.

John Goddard, former city council leader, said: “I know from my own time as chairman of the Ambulance Trust that the service is keen to get its headquarters away from the city centre.

“They have not found the Churchill site very convenient.”

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