Last week, Huntingdon crews responded to complaints concerning access issues in Stukeley Meadows, Huntingdon.

The plea comes after crews from Huntingdon fire station responded to complaints from residents concerning access issues in Stukeley Meadows.

Whilst carrying out checks, the fire crews found they were only just able to squeeze their engine through the lines of parked cars.

A Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “We urge motorists to take care when parking their vehicles so they don’t prevent our fire engines, and other emergency services, from attending potentially life-threatening emergencies.

“This is a growing problem due in part to an increase in car ownership, reduced or unused resident parking areas, traffic calming schemes and thoughtless parking by some motorists. The problem can be compounded during the school pick-up and drop-off times and at night.

“The average fire engine is just under three metres (nine feet) wide and eight metres (26 feet) long - when you park your vehicle in a narrow street, always check you have left enough room for a fire engine to get past.”

Responding to the fire service appeal on Facebook, Martin Gray said: “It should be an offence to obstruct an emergency vehicle they should be fitted with cameras and all drivers who obstruct emergency vehicles should be fined and three points on their licences - that would stop them.”

And Hugo Irving added: “Unfortunately this happens every school day.”

The fire service spokesman added: “We encounter similar challenges across the county, not just in Huntingdon, particularly where there are narrow streets, and where vehicles can park on both sides of the road.

“Our message to all motorists is to think before pulling over to park and just make sure you have left enough space to allow an emergency service vehicle to pass. It could be a life-threatening incident they are responding to.”