CURO says it will take action to stop drivers blocking an access road used by emergency vehicles serving a Keynsham retirement housing complex.
The issue affects people live at St Anne’s Court, whose properties are managed by Curo.
One of the residents told the Voice that the access road serves emergency vehicles and residents needing access to their homes.
He said it is often blocked by vehicles and that the problem has been going on for years, he said, adding that most of the tenants in the group of 13 bungalows are disabled and some area classed as vulnerable.
To get to the access road, vehicles have to cross yellow hatched markings at the end of the car park serving St Anne’s Court.
Citing one example of the need to keep the access clear, he said: “An ambulance had to reverse up to my gate due to heavy rain to take me to hospital as I had come down with a virus which put my life at risk.
“Various cars and vans block the emergency access road regularly, which affects me badly as I live at the end. It is worrying, as one of my neighbours has dementia and we may require a fire engine at some time in the near future.”
He said that people who park in the access road have included people working on nearby properties and residents of St George’s Road whose properties back onto St Anne’s Court.
The resident said he had been trying without to persuade Curo to replace a sign alerting drivers to the emergency access that was removed by UK Car Park Management (CPM), which manages the car park.
He says that CPM’s signs warning of parking restrictions are too small to act as a deterrent, resulting in people being fined. The solution, he says, is a sign large enough to be read while the driver is still in their vehicle.
“It’s not rocket science – a simple sign with numberplate-size lettering, EMERGENCY ACCESS KEEP CLEAR, followed by the penalty.
“One improvement is that Curo no longer block our access lane.”
He said he was frustrated when a Curo manager suggested that a sign could be put up in the road leading up to the car park rather than at the emergency access lane beyond it.
But a Curo spokesperson has now told the Voice: “‘We’re grateful to residents of St Anne’s Court for making us aware of this issue. We’ve listened to their concerns and agree there’s a need to install a sign at their preferred location. We expect this work to be completed shortly.”
Pictured, the access road to the right of the car park in St Anne’s Court
Action pledge to keep vital Keynsham access clear
