Appeal for motorists to consider emergency access on roads

An ambulance attending a 999 call on Sunday was delayed due to inconsiderate parking, prompting an urgent appeal for drivers to be more mindful.

An Ottery man suffered a heart attack in the early hours of the morning and his wife made the emergency call, but had to wait while the ambulance struggled to reach their home due to cars blocking the road.

The patient has now returned home after treatment, but the couple have raised serious concerns that should the same situation arise again - for them, or others - it could have dire consequences.

PCSO Maria Clapp, of Ottery’s neighbourhood policing team, raised the issue this week after speaking to the couple.

She said: “Obviously time is of the essence in this situation. A lot of elderly people live in the town and might need an emergency vehicle also.

“They would hate for anybody to go through this anxious time, as they did.

“Can drivers please be mindful and considerate when parking their vehicles.

“Always think - can an emergency vehicle get through the space left?

“Had this situation involved a fire engine, it would have not been able to get to the fire.”