MOTORISTS are being urged to think before they park after cars have been blocking the entrance at Fordingbridge Fire Station.

One car was seen parked on the keep clear hatch markings outside the station at the weekend while the driver made a phone call, which blocked both fire engine bays.

Fire station manager Pete White said: “It is going to cause an issue one day in that we are not going to be able to get in to the station or get out.”

He says it has not only been a problem at the town’s fire station but also at neighbouring stations including Romsey.

He said: “Any delay we have getting drivers to move out the way delays us getting to somebody in trouble. I know it sounds cliché but seconds do count.”

There have also been incidents where people have parked their cars in the fire station car park to get takeaway meals.

The keep clear hatch markings were repainted on Monday, which Mr White hopes will curb the problem and stop people parking outside the fire station.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service run the #INeedMySpace campaign to raise awareness of the issues.