Poor parking hampers fire crew

Measures needed to deter bad parking

The Island's fire service says it will take action against drivers who park in narrow streets blocking emergency vehicles.

'Park Smart' advisory notices have been issued to cars left in a number of crowded streets in the centre of Douglas, which have hindered access for rescue crews.

Roads Policing Unit officers say last night a fire appliance faced  problems in Mona, Empress and Castle Drives in the capital, and on Empire Terrace, where cars were parked on double yellow lines and pavements.

Crews had to guide the driver between cars along the street, folding-in wing mirrors. Several vehicles have since been towed away. 

Residents are being to consider how the fire service would reach them through roads packed with badly parked cars, if they were trapped in a property overnight.

Emergency services are due to discuss the problem with infrastructure chiefs. 

A fire appliance is up to 2.5 metres wide while an ambulance has a 2.2 metre span - an average car width is 1.7 - 2m.