SIR, — While the 'Save Us Some Space' initiative of Fire and Rescue Service Watch Manager, Paul Howey, must be applauded and supported by the whole community, ('Herald' July 7), I humbly suggest that the problem is not usually caused by car parking as such, but by the storage on the highway by residents of properties that do not have suitable garaging or standing for its occupants' vehicles.
The subtle difference between a parked car and one permanently kept on the highway, at the user's front door, is not always sufficiently appreciated.
Having a vehicle permanently stored on the highway when not being used is as socially unacceptab
le as would be obstructing the pavement outside one's home.
A garage or driveway increases the value of a residence on which the band of Council Tax is based. Therefore those who occupy properties with facilities for vehicles are in effect subsidising those who may be putting at risk the lives and property of others.
The selfish practice can lead to double parking about which our Chief Fire Officer, Brian Hesler makes his considered and relevantly valid observations.
Another problem, recently drawn to my attention by a firefighter, is that of drivers queuing in the offside lane of dual carriageways where there is no hard shoulder along which the service vehicles are able to access the scene of a road accident.
The situation is not always fully appreciated and never by the self important 'Clever Dick' who overtakes the column of stationary vehicles at the approach to an accident or other cause of delay.
The highway is shared by everyone including doctors, nurses and all emergency services. Do they not require the help and consideration of us all?
From observations I deduce that the Police are trained to investigate rather than prioritise getting the highway working again for the benefit of all road users. So often only one or two people involved are injured but a delay of only a few minutes can disrupt the lives of thousands.
NORMAN F. BATEMAN
Morpeth
The full article contains 344 words and appears in Morpeth Herald newspaper.
