Police spent £55,000 refurbishing a station front counter the public cannot use, the Telegraph & Argus can reveal today.

We used the Freedom of Information Act to force West Yorkshire Police Authority to reveal the exact cost of refitting the helpdesk at Shipley police station which was closed in a cost-cutting drive last month before it was ever used.

Campaigners are fuming that police spent £55,198 on making the station compliant with the Disability and Discrimination Act, only to announce its closure.

In response, a police spokesman said the work had been completed in February before the force started the cost-saving measures to address a £17.7 million budget shortfall.

But Shipley MP Philip Davies said people would be "disgusted" at the cost and poor planning.

He said: "It is an appalling waste of money £55,000 would have kept the front counter open for two years at least. People in Shipley will be disgusted. It's another kick in the teeth for them after the closure of the front counter."

The Conservative MP added: "It reinforces the view that closing the helpdesk is a crazy idea.

"That they were prepared to spend that money shows just how important the police thought having a helpdesk in Shipley was. If things had been thought through they would not have had to spend that money."

Mr Davies said he would apply to table a Parliamentary question to the Home Office about the issue.

Councillor Philip Thornton (Lab, Windhill and Wrose) said he was astonished at the use of public money.

He said: "Bearing in mind how much money the police think they will save against the cost of the refurbishment, I'd think they'd find they are into negative equity.

"It costs very little to keep a helpdesk open only one member of civilian staff, at least. I'll bet you could pay for five years' worth of staffing against what they've spent on the refurbishment."

He added: "Shipley police do a marvellous job they've got a hell of a team, so it's a shame they are not being supported centrally and sad that our community is being denied a basic service."

Shipley Councillor Martin Love (Green) said police money-saving plans had backfired.

He said: "The great waste of money on the refurbishment could have provided another two PCSOs for a year.

"The police are doing a lot of work to make themselves more visible throughout the community and people are starting to notice the number of police and PCSOs on the streets, but they are shooting themselves in the foot with the closure."

In a statement the police spokesman said: "The refurbishment work was part of a rolling programme for the force and was the first to be done. We were doing this work with the best of intentions and it wasn't until March that we were told we would have to find a budget shortfall of £17.7m. As a result the programme was postponed.

"Shipley is one of the helpdesks in the force to be closed as we take measures to find this shortfall. The police station continues to be operational and used by officers and staff.

"There are a number of police community contact points across the Keighley division and we are actively looking into the feasibility of establishing one in Shipley town centre, where people can talk to their local officers about any issues. Bingley Police Station helpdesk is remaining open.

"Regular Neighbourhood Policing Team surgeries are also held and details are available on the new NPT section of www.westyorkshire.police.uk or by ringing 0845 6060606."

e-mail: jonathan.walton@bradford.newsquest.co.uk