On a slightly related note.... Someone had the brilliant idea of merging all three of Gloucestershire's emergency call services into one brand-spanking new building. There was much debate about whether it would work, and about the cost, at first, but despite the doubters, the system does work. That hasn’t stopped the government considering breaking up the TriService centre in favour of a South West-wide fire control room and merging the ambulance services with that of Avon and Wiltshire. The local paper recently updated us with this:

The County's TriService centre has received a glowing report from the Audit Commission - despite concerns over its future. The report states that the Quedgeley facility has been completed to a very high standard, and below budget, and that it should be used as a model for future projects. It also says that the £6 million project has exceeded expectations in terms of "improving public safety." However, the report has not removed the threat facing the centre.