Shropshire Star

Parking plea after car blocks Shropshire fire station

People have been warned about the dangers of parking outside a Shropshire fire station after a car blocked access to the building when crews were responding to an emergency.

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The warning has been issued by Market Drayton firefighters after a car stopped right outside the station to drop off someone going to work at the Morrisons store next door.

It is believed to have happened at about 1pm on Wednesday when firefighters were called to deal with a fire involving a cooker in a house in Moreton Say, near Market Drayton.

Crews from Hodnet as well as the town were called to the scene, but the fire was out before their arrival.

A statement issued on behalf of Market Drayton firefighters said: "While crews were responding to the station for an emergency call to a house fire, several of the personnel were delayed in getting into the station, by a car which had stopped right outside, to drop off someone going to work at the Morrisons store next door.

"The road outside of the station is clearly marked in yellow paint saying 'keep clear', the station entrance is also marked in yellow saying 'no turning'.

"An emergency call can be received by personnel at any time of day or night, once received the personnel have only five minutes to respond to the station, so any delay can impact on the time it takes to get the fire appliance on route to the emergency.

"Please can we kindly ask that you do not park or stop in the clearly marked 'keep clear' area, and also not use the station for a turning point.

"Our colleagues, Market Drayton police, have been made aware of the issues that were encountered by crews, and will be monitoring the situation."

Constable Mick Sturland, of Market Drayton safer neighbourhood team, said: "We work very closely with our colleagues from Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service and I would urge everyone to respect the road markings in front of the station which tell you to keep the area clear and also to refrain from using the area as a turning point.

"This also includes dropping off staff to work at neighbouring Morrisons supermarket.

"If we receive further calls about vehicles obstructing this area, we will take action as appropriate."

Councillor David Minnery, mayor of Market Drayton, added: "I was shocked to hear of this incident. At any moment accident can strike, and when it does we want to believe that help will arrive as soon as is humanly possible. Blocking any emergency vehicle by selfish and inconsiderate parking puts lives at risk by delaying the arrival of emergency vehicles."

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