Seen on Stuff today - make sure you park off the road!
Fire appliances will ram cars parked in narrow North Shore streets to clear their way in an emergency if necessary, say firefighters.
Shore firefighters are warning some streets are too narrow and would create major problems getting to a fire or accident scene.
Albany station officer Ron Henderson says it's a particular problem in new Albany subdivisions.
"The Fire Service would remove a vehicle forcibly if necessary, if a person's life is in danger," he says.
"Even if the vehicle's legally parked, we will force entry."
Mr Henderson says it's not uncommon for fire engines to have to travel partially along footpaths, and sometimes vehicles have to be moved.
Greenhithe Fire Brigade is particularly concerned about Te Wharau Drive because fire engines can't fit down the residential street when cars are parked along both sides, which they usually are.
Problems also occur in subdivisions around Rosedale and the old Albany Highway, which have been recently developed, Mr Henderson says.
"When they built those subdivisions not much thought went into getting heavy vehicles down the middle," Mr Henderson says.
"The width of roads has definitely decreased."
Devonport firefighter Harry Thompson says cars parking near chicanes at Huia St near King Edward Pde could cause problems.
North Shore City Council transport development manager Kit O'Halloran says the Shore's streets all meet certain standards to allow access by vehicles at all times.
"If the emergency services have any problems I'm certainly not aware of them," Mr O'Halloran says.
"It's absolutely paramount that emergency services have access to our subdivisions."
He says the council would like to hear concerns so yellow lines can be painted to prevent people parking on narrow streets.
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Originally Posted by skidmark
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