BAD parking is delaying firefighters in Marlborough getting to emergencies so they have launched a campaign urging drivers to be more considerate.

Hyde Lane, Orchard Road and Cold Harbour Lane were among the roads proving difficult for a fire engine to squeeze past during a test drive around the town last week.

Fire crews are urging people to park tight to the kerb, leave enough space for a fire engine or ambulance to pass, never park on a junction, fold in wing mirrors and observe double yellow lines.

On-call firefighter Roger Lovelock, who works at the station in The Parade, said: “The problem is mainly at night when people are at home, during the day it is not so bad.

“It can be quite frustrating, but we know people have to park somewhere and families can have two to three cars.

“Hyde Lane, Chiminage Close and Frees Avenue are some of the roads that can be difficult and St Margaret's Mead. We had a job there other night and it was quite a squeeze to get around.

“Another problem is anticipating what other drivers are going to do. We are not as quick as an ambulance and we are overtaking at the same time as people coming towards us.

“We get people who freeze and break straight in front of us. The basic thing to do is keep going at the same speed until there is a convenient place to pull over.”

A fire engine needs clearance of 10ft (three metres) to pass safely and with a lot of households having more than one car, crews are becoming increasingly concerned that fire crews could be seriously delayed getting to an emergency incident because of inconsiderate parking.

Group manager Dave Jacomb added: “We are urging residents to think about their parking, as they could be putting the lives of their families, friends and neighbours at risk.

“Sadly, it is only a matter of time before such a delay leads to a significant loss of property or even a life.

“We would therefore urge everyone who parks on the roadside to help us to provide the prompt emergency response that is rightly expected of us.”