THE dangers of vehicles being parked on pavements has been highlighted by police and firefighters in Holsworthy.

The large fire engine needs to be able to easily access roads and residential areas to respond to an emergency in the quickest possible time.

But obstructions being caused in residential areas by cars parked either side of roads and on pavements have hindered the fire engine while it is trying to reach some properties.

The police and fire brigade focused their attention on five streets in Holsworthy that are known to be problem areas and that have the highest amount of complaints from residents.

The fire engine had difficulty when driving down Glebe Meadow, Glebelands, Stanhope Park Close, Parsons Close and Great Oak Meadow.

Holsworthy PCSO Mark James said: “We received many complaints in the past from residents of the area that people were parking on the pavements in residential areas, causing an obstruction.

“There were only small gaps being left between cars parked on either side of the road, making maneuvring and getting through difficult.

“The demonstration we held, with help from Holsworthy Fire Brigade, gave us the opportunity to educate road users of the possible dangers their parking could cause.”

Any spaces the fire engine could not fit through posed a risk to the crew’s response time to an emergency.

“By driving the engine down residential lanes they were able to highlight the properties that would have been most at risk due to the sometimes careless parking on pavements that was causing difficulty.”

The teams paid especially close attention when taking the fire engine down Great Oak Meadow. The road runs adjacent to the primary school.

PCSO Mark James said: “We paid special attention to Great Oak Meadow, because being adjacent to the school, we not only had to consider the cars parked, but the risk of children crossing the road.

“Many parents park along this road as it is an opportune spot for them to easily collect children quickly after school.

There are currently no parking restrictions in this area and it is up to the council’s enforcement officers to deal with any cars that are causing an obstruction.

Holsworthy Police have done their part to help raise awareness of the issue with the hopes it will be improved in the future.

PCSO Mark James added: “The issue we have is that we cannot do anything about this parking situation unless a car is causing a genuine obstruction.

“The cars that are parking in residential areas, on pavements and by the roadsides are making things difficult, but have not stopped cars getting through all together, they are simply leaving smaller gaps in which other road users are having to manoeuvre.

“It is down to local enforcement officers from Devon County Council and Torridge District Council to deal with these types of problems; we are only able to raise awareness locally.”

It is hoped that after the police and fire crew’s demonstration people will think twice before parking and ensure they are not causing an obstruction.

Free car parking is currently available at the Holsworthy Manor car park after noon on Saturdays and all day on Sundays.

Torridge District Council also offer a wide range of parking permits for businesses and residents. Visit www.torridge.gov.uk to find out more about the permits available.