Cars parked on pavements and double yellow lines in Swindon town centre is an "accident waiting to happen", a resident has warned. 

Motorists have been spotted parking "dangerously" off Gorse Hill, particularly Whiteman Street, Cricklade Road, and Chapel Street - forcing people into the street. 

Now, a Swindon local, who asked not to be named, has called on drivers to take more care when parking - as at times it can be "horrendous" - and urged the council to police the area better to clamp down on the perpetrators. 

But Swindon Borough Council says traffic wardens regularly patrol that area and in March it dished out more than 80 penalty charge notices to those "flouting" parking rules. 

"It's an accident waiting to happen for kids and people in pushchairs and wheelchairs," said the Swindon resident. "It is at its worst between Wednesday to Saturday, that is when it gets horrendous.

"People are too lazy, don't care enough about others, and park there to go to the shops or go to a cash machine. The traffic wardens aren't there often enough to stamp down on this.

"They need to be there from 9am-3pm, really.

"I worry that fire engines and ambulances may get stuck one time when rushing to an emergency. I have been telling the council about this for years. There used to be traffic wardens there for longer periods and more regularly before the coronavirus pandemic. More needs to be done."

Swindon Advertiser: Van parked on double yellow lines on Cricklade Road, SwindonVan parked on double yellow lines on Cricklade Road, Swindon (Image: Swindon Advertiser)

A council spokesman admitted this area can be a "hotspot" for dangerous and illegal parking but they had conducted 200 patrols of the aforementioned streets.

They also vowed to try and keep on top of this issue to reassure residents. 

The statement reads: “Our parking enforcement officers regularly carry out checks in the Gorse Hill area as it can be a hotspot for dangerous and illegal parking.

"Last month (March) we conducted a combined 200 patrols of the three streets mentioned and handed out 87 penalty charge notices to motorists who were flouting parking regulations.

"We’d like to reassure local residents living in Gorse Hill that we will continue to issue notices to motorists who do not park responsibly.”