Drivers are urged to think before they park as vehicle access problems is revealed as the biggest cause of fire service delays.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was delayed commencing firefighting action at primary fires 75 times between January 2016 and June 2017.

Of those delays, 29 were caused by vehicle access problems.

Information Compliance Officer for the fire service Gemma Wise said vehicle access problems included getting pumps down narrow lanes and parked cars blocking roads.

Other reasons for delays included vehicles being sent to the wrong location eleven times and being unable to access fires due to security measures seven times.

A spokesperson for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Streets congested with parked cars can delay fire engines and other emergency service vehicles attending an incident.

“The service is becoming increasingly concerned that fire crews could be seriously delayed getting to an emergency incident because of inconsiderate parking.”

Fire engines needed a clearance of 3 metres to pass down roads safely.

Fire service group manager, Dave Jacomb said: "Many streets were not designed to accommodate the number of cars that are now being parked in them. We are urging residents to think about their parking, as they could be putting the lives of their families, friends and neighbours at risk.”

He added it was particularly important in cul-de-sacs and Victorian streets that were narrow even without parked cars.

Mr Jacomb said: “Sadly, it is only a matter of time before such a delay leads to a significant loss of property or even a life. Cars may be able to pass down streets which have restricted access due to double parking or incorrect parking, but fire engines and ambulances can’t.”

Stuart Legg, the area commander for Dorset, said firefighters had experienced problems getting into and leaving fire stations safely and frequently experienced problems on older, narrow roads and some newer estates.

He added the fire service would be running an awareness campaign from September to focus on access issues.

“Sometimes people have no choice about where they can park, so the key thing is that they park as well as they can.

“However, there are always people who park where they like and we want them to understand the potential implications of doing that,” he said.

The fire service advised drivers to:

  • Park tightly to the kerb
  • Leave enough space for emergency vehicles to pass
  • Leave extra room near tight corners and never park right on junctions
  • Observe double yellow lines
  • Fold wing mirrors in and ensure wheels are straight to the kerb

Chairman of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority Cllr Spencer Flower said: “I fully support any initiative by the fire and rescue service in promoting safer parking. The statistics show that access problems are a real issue for our crews, and I would urge drivers to think very carefully about where and how they park.”