Parked cars in Lincoln stop firefighters reaching emergencies

The fire service said there was a particular problem in Lincoln's West End

Parts of Lincoln cannot be accessed by fire engines because of bad parking, firefighters have said.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said some of its vehicles cannot fit through parked cars in several areas.

As well as restricting access, sometimes fire crews find they are unable to connect hoses to street water hydrants.

Firefighter Ashley Doyle said: "time is crucial in emergencies, these streets cost us time."

"We must go down them very slowly and sometimes you cannot even do it.

We will get halfway and must turn around, which takes even longer," he said.

"Everyone has cars, a lot of people do not park sensibly, they leave the front or back of their vehicles sticking out.

"I just do not think people even give it a second thought."

Firefighter Ashley Doyle said badly parked cars "cost us time"

The service said there was a particular problem in the city's West End.

Residents in the area claimed the council had granted too many parking permits for too few spaces, with some complaining that they were unable to get to work after having their cars blocked in.

Hydrants are often found on street pavements and allow firefighters to connect to the mains water supply when tackling blazes.

Watch manager Jordan Papworth said drivers often do not realise they are even there.

"Fire engines carry a limited amount of water, around 1800 litres which in significant incidents is used in around four minutes, so we need that supply from a fire hydrant," he said.

"If they are blocked, we would need to use the next nearest one, this could be further away and would significantly delay our intervention."