Fire chief warns of danger caused by Weymouth's blocked roads (From Dorset Echo)

Fire chief warns of danger caused by Weymouth's blocked roads

12:00pm Thursday 2nd July 2009 in

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LIVES could be at risk because of drivers blocking access along Weymouth’s narrow streets.

Emergency services’ bosses are urging motorists to show more consideration to fire brigades and ambulances.

Weymouth fire station manager Phil Head is so worried about the potentially ‘serious consequences’ of impassable roads, he’s now monitoring the town’s double parking hot spots.

He spoke out after a fire engine was held up for five vital minutes while attending a 999 call at Littlemoor’s Bincombe Court sheltered housing complex.

Firefighters couldn’t get to the building in Hamilton Close because of cars double parked along the Culliford Way and Bayard Road approaches.

Instead, the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service crew were forced to keep their siren blaring, at 12.40pm on Sunday, until residents came out and moved their vehicles.

The call was a false alarm, but sheltered housing chief – Weymouth and Portland Housing manager Christian Blackbeard – fears next time someone might not be as lucky.

Mr Blackbeard warned: “Hopefully this will serve as a serious warning. Next time we could be dealing with a serious injury or something even worse.”

In a separate incident the next day, a paramedic was held up in Weymouth’s busy St Thomas Street after a taxi driver refused to budge.

Witness Roy Eveleigh said: “The driver had stopped to escort a fare to his cab and was clearly aware of the paramedic’s car, as the siren was sounding and lights flashing.

“But the driver just carried on escorting the elderly woman to his cab as if nothing was happening. In the end the paramedic had to stop where he was, blocking traffic, just to get to the emergency.

“I think its disgusting that anyone would put the price of a fare above the price of a life.”

The paramedic was rushing to help an elderly woman feeling faint in the heat. It is believed she did not require hospital treatment.

Both incidents highlight the problems faced by emergency services on a daily basis.

Mr Head said: “Weymouth’s green watch is now identifying hot spots and giving out home fire safety check leaflets and parking leaflets in those areas.

“They are also informing fire control where there is poor access, or if it is particularly bad, trying to identify potential alternative access routes.”

He says irresponsible parking often hampers fire crews and ambulances on 999 shouts.

“If we cannot get to where we need to get to, as quickly as possible, there could be serious consequences,” warned Mr Head.

A South West Ambulance Service Trust spokesman urged all drivers to be as courteous and responsible as possible when encountering one of their vehicles on an emergency call.

He added: “Seconds can make a difference between life and death.”