Poor parking ‘puts lives at risk’ as fire engines struggle in narrow streets
FIREFIGHTERS say inconsiderate parking is putting lives at risk across North Staffordshire.
Crews are struggling to access narrow streets in order to reach fires due to cars being parked on both sides.
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Think: Firefighter James Jones with one of the postcards
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has produced new postcards to raise the issue with drivers.
Fire crews will leave the postcards on the windscreens of any vehicles they come across that are parked inconsiderately.
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The postcards bear the message: “Think before you park: The extra time taken to reach an incident can cost lives! It could be your property we are trying to reach.”
Station manager Dave Steele said: “The problems we often find are that emergency appliances cannot get down streets because of the way in which people have parked. This not only affects firefighters as they are driving around carrying out community safety work, crucially it means they could be delayed in reaching an emergency.
“We would ask that vehicle owners consider where and how they are parking so that an emergency vehicle can safely pass. A fire engine is approximately three metres wide and, to comfortably pass parked vehicles, a four-metre gap is required.”
Problem streets in Stoke-on-Trent include Rose Street, Northwood, Richmond Street, Penkhull, and Wood Terrace, Shelton, with streets in Abbey Hulton and Bentilee also a concern.
In Newcastle the problem areas are Crackley Bank, Chesterton, Church Lane and High Street in Wolstanton and Silverdale Road, Newcastle.
Fire engines are also struggling to get down Gaunt Street, Wood Street, Alma Street and Fountain Street in Leek.
St Anne’s Vale and surrounding roads in Brown Edge have also been flagged as a problem area due to the primary school and parents parking inconsiderately.
Mr Steele added: “We find the streets surrounding schools are frequent problem areas. All we ask is that you consider where you’re parking your vehicle.
“Don’t park on street corners and try to avoid parking parallel to another car. I’m sure if people took a second to think about it, they wouldn’t want to be the reason for delaying a fire engine in an emergency.”
Residents in Rose Street, Northwood, agreed that parking was an issue, but did not know how it could be resolved.
Catherine Boulton-Lear, aged 63, said: “A few years ago there was talk of starting a permit scheme here, but it never happened. I’ve never seen a fire engine come up this street, but then I don’t think there is enough room for one. It is a worry.”
Geoff Glover, aged 46, said: “It’s always been a busy street, with the hairdressers and people going to the chapel, and everyone in the street has their own car. I’ve come home at dinner time on some days and I haven’t been able to find a parking space."
Comments
by Focus386
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 6:38PM
“@darrendoldrom, you are clearly still living in the olden days when people had respect for the local bobby and the police has a whole. Sadly thoses such days have long gone, now it's all about their space their time and their Facebook space. There is no such thing as respect shown by the parents and people that block the streets with their inconsiderate and dangerous parking.
The only way the message is going to get past the bubble in which they live, and that is to hit them hard and send out a message loud and clear. I wouldn't go as far as others have stated in driving over the inconsiderate parkers. But hitting them hard in the pocket is the best way to go.
It's a simple thing to understand.....your stupid parking could be putting someone's life at risk.”
by Darrendoldrum
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 5:46PM
“@ Focus386 - Issuing a traffic ticket serves only to put someone's back up, breeds resentment of a "Police State" and puts off the compulsion to work with police. A friendly bit of advice helps to foster relations with police, usually educates people to a better way of thinking and portrays the police (officer) as a human, an ally and someone they can put their trust and faith in. By all means issue tickets to repeat offenders if the message isn't received on the first pass. How do I know? Experience and the utmost respect of my community gained as a former serving neighbourhood beat bobby.”
by Focus386
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 3:38PM
“The area mention in Chesterton is nothing more than inconsiderate parents taking their precious little one to and from school. Everyday the school is open morning and afternoon it is a complete no go area. These parents have to park as close as humanely possible to the school and that means parking on and in peoples drives on the Zig zag markings every where.
The real silly thing is most if not all come from the housing state behind the school and the very important parents in their Chelsea tractors have lost the use of their legs and have to take the children in the car.
The police and I mean the real police not a PCSO should visit the area morning and afternoon and book everyone parking illegally, none of this having a word and passing on advice, it doesn't work.”
by PaulF430
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 12:39PM
“Just drive over the stupid cars like they do in the states. If you park inconsiderately then expect it to be side swiped or worse.”
by GilbertL
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 10:36AM
“And new housing estates are just as bad. House builders make the roads as narrow as they are allowed, give each house one parking space or short driveway, and then pack as many houses in as they can. Terraced streets were built when cars were not in abundance, yet many households have two cars. Not an easy problem to solve but hopefully raising awareness will in turn raise consideration when parking.”