Edinburgh woman’s fury as firefighters ‘struggle past parked cars’ on …
An Edinburgh woman has spoken out after the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service[1] struggled to get to her house when she dialled 999.
Angela Lancashire has lived in Portobello[2] for nearly 50 years and has noticed the impact the amount of cars are having on her street. Speaking to Edinburgh Live, she explained that at around 3am on Monday morning, October 30, her husband Bill had to phone for the fire service when water from their upstairs neighbour came pouring through their bathroom ceiling.
However, due to the tight and narrow streets, the fire engine struggled to get to her house on Marlborough Street – made worse by the amount of cars parked along the road.
She said: “These roads were built in 1876. They were made when people had horses and carts. They certainly weren’t made for all of these cars and fire engines.”
Angela recalled the night they had to dial 999. She said: “It was around 3am and my husband heard this loud bang. He went and checked the fish tank, and it wasn’t that. But then he went to the bathroom and all of this water was pouring through our lights.
“We phoned the fire brigade and they came within a quarter of an hour. They were brilliant. Five of them were at our door, one went upstairs and turned the electricity and water off for both of us so it was safe.
“But they did say they struggled to get down our street and to our house. Thank God it wasn’t an actual fire! It feels horrendous because what if it’s urgent? I’ve seen emergency services have problems getting down here before. Just the other week there were ambulances and police down the road, and no one could move. Something needs to be done, like a one-way system. It shouldn’t have to wait for a fatality.”
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Angela added: “”There’s more cars on the road nowadays. When we first moved here in 1974, we certainly didn’t have a car. It wasn’t what it’s like now.
“The road is so narrow, so is Regent Street and Bath Street, Bath Street is worse actually. People are parking up on the pavement too and I see people in wheelchairs and buggies having to go on the road because there isn’t any room on the pavement. It’s dangerous!
Pavement parking has been made illegal but local councils don’t have the power to enforce against it until December, and Edinburgh Council will have the power to do so at a later date once communications have been carried out.
Meanwhile, back in December 2022, the Transport and Environment committee approved the start of the statutory process to introduce controlled parking into the Portobello area in a bid to reduce congestion.
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Parking on pavements impacts on people trying to get from A to B, as well as restricting the freedom of people with disabilities, damaging footpaths and, as is the case here, blocking emergency services vehicles.
“We’ll soon have the power to enforce against pavement parking, which I hope will address the issue across the city.
“In Portobello, we’re proposing the introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone, which would respond to parking problems and make sure roads are kept safe and accessible for vulnerable road users, while providing dedicated parking for residents, their visitors and businesses.”
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References
- ^ Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ Portobello (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
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