Sir.-I am writing in response to a letter published in Friday's Gazette, March 12.

The letter, by Mrs Driver, surrounded the issue of the entrance/exit from Basingstoke Ambulance Station and the adequacy of the warning lights outside of this establishment.

I would like to draw attention to the signage for the ambulance station, which is provided in the form of an "advanced warning sign" that identifies an ambulance station ahead.

Equally, this explains the light system and that vehicles should stop. This sign is 100 metres before the light-controlled and hatched area outside of the ambulance station and is situated before the hill brow.

The letter continued by expressing that on this occasion the ambulance came "screaming out of the station".

I would like to express that the ambulance vehicle was not involved in the accident and the actual collision involved vehicles that had already stopped to allow the ambulance to exit the station.

Crews use their judgement as to whether the warning lights should be used, and on this occasion the crew made the decision not to use them.

Experience on behalf of the ambulance crews indicates that not all drivers stop at the lights and, therefore, the crews treat this like any junction while under emergency conditions, as a give way zone.

While Hampshire Ambulance Services does not wish for anyone to experience such misfortunes, our staff drive within their protocols and procedures and take relevant caution on the negotiation of all hazards experienced while driving under emergency conditions.

I hope this helps in clarifying the situation for all road users, especially within the vicinity of the Basingstoke Ambulance Station, Aldermaston Road, Basingstoke.

-Neil Cook, Divisional clinical team manager, Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Romsey Road, Winchester.