Queuing drivers told not to block fire station exit

Firefighters are asking the public not to park or stop in front of their base in Ludlow, as roadworks on a nearby street are causing traffic problems in the area.

Roadworks on Sheet Road were sometimes causing cars "to back up past" the fire station on Weeping Cross Lane, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said.

It urged drivers to keep the entrance area free, so that on-call firefighters could respond to incidents.

"We completely understand that they are in the traffic lights and it can be frustrating for people, but it's just having that understanding just to keep that area clear," Anna Morris-Jones, from the fire service, said.

"Every second counts when lives and property are at risk."

SFRS added with a temporary three-way traffic control system in place, it was "even more important" that its access remained clear so crews could respond without any unnecessary delays.

Manager of the Shropshire on-call stations Morris-Jones, who pointed out the keep clear markings in front of the Ludlow building, said firefighters might be at home or work before they responded to an emergency call-out.

"When that alert obviously goes off, they respond to the fire station and then they jump on the truck, put their fire kit on and away we go.

"Sometimes they're [Sheet Road roadworks] causing cars to back up past the fire station and also on the other side of the road and also some people are using it as turning circles."

Asked what incident response times tended to be, she replied: "The on-call staff respond within five minutes of them being alerted by our fire control and then they have about 10 minutes to obviously get to the incident depending on where it is.

"If it's within the town itself, it's usually a lot quicker than that."

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