BAD parking in parts of Tavistock is delaying emergency vehicles responding to incidents, and drivers are now being targeted in a new campaign. The fire and rescue service is joining forces with the ambulance service to highlight the potentially serious consequences of bad parking. Tavistock fire station commander Tim Smith said there were various locations in Tavistock which were difficult to access with a fire engine due to double parking. The top of Bannawell Street, Exeter Road, Trelawney Road and Maudlins Lane were all trouble spots, he said. A few years ago firefighters had to run to rescue a man from a burning building in Bannawell Street after they could not gain access with the fire engine. ?Every second counts when we are responding to an incident and 30 seconds later this man would have been overcome by smoke,? said Mr Smith. ?Unfortunately, the problem of bad parking is still there in Bannawell Street. There maybe just enough room for a car to get through but not a fire engine.? Leaflets are being attached to car windscreens in the problem areas as part of a countywide initiative. When parking vehicles in residential areas drivers are being asked to park close to the kerb, leave enough space for a fire engine or an ambulance to pass, leave extra room near tight corners and fold in wing mirrors.
