RESIDENTS are facing parking problems following restrictions brought in to ease difficulties faced by ambulances.

Restrictions have been brought in on Badger Avenue after council officers found out ambulances were having problems manoeuvring round parked cars.

As a result the ambulances were sometimes taking several minutes longer to get to their destinations after 999 calls.

But it means residents in the road have nowhere to park their cars and they hoped the ambulance station premises might provide an answer.

Councillor Ray Stafford wrote to the ambulance service on behalf of the residents asking if it would be possible for some to park their cars inside the premises.

But ambulance area manager Peter Mulcahy has told him it would not be possible.

"While I do have every sympathy with local residents I am unable to give authorisation for any local residents to park cars within the Crewe Ambulance Station premises," said Mr Mulcahy.

"As an integral part of the local community which cares passionately for the welfare of the residents of the Crewe area, it is purely the need to ensure the correct response to the needs of local people that has prompted the Ambulance Service to request this most necessary restriction."

Residents have also been told if they want to have dropped crossings to help the problem they must pay themselves.

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