SOUTH Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) has welcomed a landmark agreement to ensure emergency services cover rural communities in national parks.

The joint accord between National Parks England and the Home Office means communities stand to benefit from improved emergency service communications.

It will support the roll-out of the emergency services mobile communications programme, while protecting the qualities of National Parks by minimising any adverse environmental impacts.

The new service, the Emergency Services Network (ESN), due to be completed by the end of 2019, will operate across England, Scotland and Wales.

It will be used by the police, fire and rescue services, ambulance trusts and other public safety and security organisations.

The “blue-light” agreement is seen an important step forward in ensuring rural communities have responsive emergency services.

Police and fire minister Mike Penning said: “This new critical national infrastructure will be sympathetic to the character of national parks in England. It will enable the three emergency services to operate enhanced services inside national parks using modern 4G voice and fast data service communications.”

SDNPA chief executive Trevor Beattie said: “This agreement is a great example of how national parks can work together with government departments to make sure that they take into account the sensitivity of our landscapes when making decisions about essential infrastructure – in this case installing vital technology for the emergency services.”