Traffic blocking Welshpool Fire Station 'a disaster waiting to happen'
Councillors are calling for action over motorists blocking the exit to Welshpool Fire Station.
Fire station staff have issued a plea to drivers who have been stopping across the entrance to the station, blocking fire engines and potentially delaying them in their efforts to attend emergency calls.
The problem was exaggerated over the weekend as Welshpool ground to a halt with bank holiday tailbacks throughout the town.
The exit onto Severn Road is marked with a yellow box junction, where drivers are not permitted to stop.
County councillor Graham Breeze said the situation, which also affects the neighbouring ambulance station, is a "disaster waiting to happen".
He said: "Something really does need to be done because this is a problem that has been going on for a while.
"I can understand that these are motorists who probably don't know the area and don't know there is an ambulance station there.
"I believe talks have been held with Powys County Council regarding getting something done about the problem.
"There is so much traffic on that road coming into the town, and it is more evident on bank holiday weekends like we have just had.
"The engines there could be coming out to an emergency to see anyone, and it could be you or me it is going to help."
Councillor Breeze added: "Something needs to be done because it really is a disaster waiting to happen."
His fellow Welshpool county councillor, Phil Pritchard, has taken the issue up with the local authority, and has previously suggested signs be put in place to warn drivers when they are approaching the stations.
He said: "There appears to be an agreement from Powys highways that something needs to be done, and that signage can be put in place.
"It is being worked on at the moment and is a work in progress.
"A meeting has been arranged with the station officer but these things don't happen over night.
"If it is here in six months I will be happy, but if something is in place in three months I will be delighted."
Firefighter and former councillor Brendan McWhinnie believes problems have become worse since the introduction of Welshpool's one-way system.
He said: "There have been further problems this weekend, however it didn't happen at a time when there was a call out and it didn't effect our level of response.
"There are still concerns about what has happened, and Powys County Council are discussing the situation.
"I think the situation has got worse since we have had the one-way system in place.
"We would just like to appeal to the public one more to not park over the station, as the entrance causes problems for the ambulance station as well as us."
Earlier this year Shropshire Fire & Rescue also warned drivers about inconsiderate parking in the Castlefields area of Shrewsbury.
They said that poor parking could have led to "devastating damage" after they were called out to an incident.
The area is notoriously congested and station manager Jim Barker urged residents to consider the effects of where they leave their cars.
