AN appeal has gone out to motorists in Abergavenny to observe parking regulations after a fire engine struggled to attend a shed fire last Wednesday (February 10).

A concerned residents has written to the local authority calling for action to stop visiting motorists park up in Victoria Street.

And in a letter to the Chronicle Benita Kelly said she feared lives could be put in danger as cars from people working in the town were left in the narrow street all day.

A spokesman for South Wales Fire Service said: ‘‘At approximately 4:51pm on February 10 2021, we received reports of a domestic garage fire in Victoria Street, Abergavenny. Firefighters attended the scene and worked to extinguished the fire. A stop message was sent at approximately 5:17pm.

‘‘It was reported that the road to the incident was narrow for fire appliances to access with ease.

‘‘We urge the public to help them protect their community by always leaving enough room for a fire engine and other emergency services to pass through when parking.

‘‘Otherwise crews may be delayed in getting to the emergency where lives are at risk.’’

Ms Kelly said there are ‘Access Only’ signs at the junction with Regent Street which is narrow at one end She said: ‘‘I live at the top of the street near the old library. At the junction with Regent Street there are Access Only signs and street markings. However, people disregard these signs and park in this part of the street, often from 7.30am until 6pm.’’

At the time of the shed fire she witnessed the firefighters’ struggle to get their vehicle close to the scene.

‘‘The garage was razed to the ground. Had the fire been in the house, lives might have been lost.

‘‘I emphasise Wednesday’s problem was not caused by residents’ cars, but by cars belonging to people who persist in treating the street as an all day car park.

‘‘Emergency vehicles must be able to pass up the street when called for. If this problem is not addressed, residents’ lives may be in danger,’’ said Ms Kelly.