Firefighters in Swindon are urging drivers to think before they park, after reports of poor on-street parking blocking ambulances, fire engines and bin lorries across the town.
Roads across the town have been highlighted as 'bad parking hotspots' due to their narrow tight corners and proximity to schools and businesses.
Sheila Tubey is just one of the many residents who came forward to report this, after witnessing a Swindon Borough Council recycling lorry become trapped between two parked cars, with no way through.
"This lorry had to reverse around a corner to get to the junction to turn around," she told the Adver.
"School parents were carefully negotiating this, while two-way traffic did the drop off.
"I just hope no one needs an ambulance or fire engine today. It is a regular problem during the school term time and drop off times."
Shane Wright, who works as a bus driver in Swindon, added: "They blocked me from going to work yesterday morning and I'm a bus driver for children."
Other regular incidents have been reported on Windsor Road (Lawn), Honiton Road (Park North), Leighton Avenue (Park South), Cottington Close (Freshbrook), St Philip's Road (Upper Stratton) and various alleyways in Old Town.
"The whole of Swindon is the same. All these houses being built and HMO buildings only add to the issue with a serious lack of parking," said Daniel Woodwards.
"No matter how many times we report issues in my street, there is only enough parking on one side of the street which is only enough for a quarter of the houses."
Following concerns, firefighters are now urging Swindon residents to think before they potentially put the lives at risk with their car.
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A fire engine needs a clearance of three metres (10 feet) in order to pass safely, which is the width of two cars.
In an emergency, every second that the emergency services are delayed could have serious, life threatening consequences.
"Many streets were not designed to accommodate the number of cars that are now being parked in them," said group manager Shaun Milton, of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service.
"We are urging residents to think about their parking, as they could be putting the lives of their families, friends and neighbours at risk.
"This is particularly important in cul-de-sacs and Victorian streets that are narrow even without parked cars.
"We would urge everyone who parks on the roadside to help us provide the prompt emergency response that is rightly expected of us.”
Wiltshire Police, South West Ambulance Service and Swindon Borough Council were also contacted for comment.
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