People in Stapleford have shared concerns about ‘irresponsible parking’ after emergency vehicles were blocked two nights in a row. One night involved a fire engine and the other night an ambulance.
On April 9, Officers from Stapleford Fire Station were called to an address on Gibbons Avenue but the fire engine was delayed by parked cars. Two firefighters had to run to the scene with a water back pack and used a garden hose on the fire. The fire engine was eventually able to get to the fire and use their high pressure hose reels. The following night, April 10, an ambulance was called to a property on the street and there was reports of a vehicle blocking some steps meaning a patient couldn’t be put on the stretcher.
Residents on Gibbons Avenue told Nottinghamshire Live this issue is ‘getting worse and worse’ and say ‘people’s lives might be at risk.' John Bonsall, who is 83 and retired, says that it's difficult on the fire service.
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Mr Bonsall said: “It’s just irresponsible parking. I accept people need to park near their house. I think it is irresponsible. I know it will be hard on the fire engines. People's lives might be at risk. The school when they pull up here isn’t too bad, they're there for 20 minutes."
Another resident, Miss Hallam, who is 38 and a cleaner, told Nottinghamshire Live that there isn’t enough parking on the avenue. She said: “It’s horrendous - it’s really really bad, especially at school times. Parents will park anywhere and everywhere.
“It’s not just that, in the evenings we have the same where people just park anywhere and everywhere. I’ve lived here 16 years and it’s just getting worse and worse. It’s really bad. It’s people's lives. I don’t know what can be done to help the situation. It's such a small avenue there’s just not enough parking. It’s a bit of a nightmare. If there was an ambulance to come at school times it would be carnage.”
A resident who gave the name Simon, 47, says that people often park in front of the garages on the road which adds to the issue. He said: “It’s ridiculous. They’re doing up the garages. People think they aren’t being used so park in front of the garages. We rent a garage and people have signs up because people park in front.
“During term time you get people parking on this road who work in the area. It’s terrible. Where are the residents supposed to park? A lot of the houses here - talking about getting rid of the hedges and having a dropped kerb. Then there’s environmental issues, getting it tarmacked and cemented but has an effect on the drainage and flooding.”
Cllr Richard MacRae told Nottinghamshire Live: “People have got to park somewhere. I think of course you have the right to park anywhere on the road but there’s just more cars on the road than parking spaces.
“When people park on the grassed verges it causes trees to fall down and that’s happened before.
“We’ve had two incidents in two nights. The fire engine had to go to a garden fire and couldn’t get through.
“There’s areas up here that could be converted, no one wants to see trees chopped down or grass removed but for health and safety something has to be done. It’s a last resort.
“The council needs to look and create more places to park. The facilities that are here at the minute aren't adequate.”
Nottinghamhire Fire and Rescue Area Manager for Response, Andy Macey, said "We ask that drivers consider “Can we get through?” whenever parking. Remember the three-metre rule when parking opposite someone, don't park too close to corners and obey road markings such as yellow lines and box junctions.
"When responding to a 999 call, every second that the emergency services are delayed could have serious consequences. If you called for help, you would want to know firefighters could get through."
Gary Wood, Head of Highways and Transport, said: “We urge all motorists to think before they park and consider how their parking will affect other road users. It is really important to think about whether emergency services vehicles can get down your street, should they need to.
"When parking, it is important to do so in a way that does not inconvenience and endanger others. Parking good practice tips can be found on our website."
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