Stop blocking it! Renewed plea over fire station access

In recent years numerous calls have been made by firefighters and councillors in Welshpool for drivers to stop parking over the entrance to the Severn Road station.

There is also an ambulance station behind the fire building, but despite the warnings firefighters are still reporting problems.

Fire officials are in discussion with Powys County Council about putting measures in place to address the issue, and head of response for north Powys Rob Raynor wants something done before a serious incident happens.

He said: "We had a car over the entrance on Bank Holiday Monday and it seems to have become more of a problem in recent years.

"It never used to be like this, but it seems like it could be tourists who come to the area because the road is a tourist route.

"So far there have been no serious incidents, but we want to tackle the problem before an incident happens.

"We have had discussions with Powys County Council and we will be talking to the highways department to get a hatched box across to inform people not to park there.

"It isn't just us, it is the ambulance station behind as well and it causes problems getting back into the station when coming from the centre of town."

Last year councillors hit out at motorists for blocking the station, with county councillor Graham Breeze stating it was an accident waiting to happen.

Mr Raynor also confirmed that discussions have taken place with fire bosses about changing the appearance of the fire station.

He believes that because the building doesn't look like a fire station, some motorists don't realise where they have stopped in their cars.

He added: "We are looking at changing the appearance, making it more bright and looking like a fire station.

"It is a grey building and probably most people don't realise it is a fire station, so hopefully if we change the appearance of it people will realise where they have stopped."