Emergency worker blasts 'ignorance' of drivers parking on Hull Royal Infirmary double yellows causing delays

The worker, who asked not to be named, said they had been delayed by cars parked on double yellow lines in Fountain Street in the hospital site. They added delays cost them crucial minutes in reaching people in life-threatening situations and called on drivers to imagine how they would feel if they needed that help.

A spokesperson for Hull City Council, which enforces restrictions in the road, said inconsiderate parking was a nuisance and drivers should act responsibly. Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Hull Royal Infirmary, declined to comment as enforcement lies with the council.

The worker said Fountain Street, which runs past Hull Royal Infirmary’s eye clinic on to Anlaby Road, had double yellow lines to keep it clear for emergency response vehicles, but they added drivers continued to park on them regardless, displaying what they felt was shocking ignorance.

The worker said: “I work in emergency response and because of the double yellow parking I’ve been blocked while on blue light call outs. On one side of Fountain Street there’s a car park with plenty of spaces, but people are still parking on the double yellows.

“It’s the ignorance of people that annoys me, some have parked on the pavement as well, it’s shocking because when they park there we can’t get through. I think they’re doing it to avoid the car park fees, but they’re not that expensive. It really angers and frustrates me and winds me up.

“It’s never stopped us from getting to a call out but it’s cost us time while we’re trying to get to people in life-threatening situations, which is most of the time. If that was their family waiting for emergency response would they do that? If they were involved in an accident themselves and it was them waiting, what would they say then?”

The council’s spokesperson said the authority does everything it can to stop nuisance parking.

The spokesperson said: “Inconsiderate parking is a nuisance for all road users. Our dedicated team of civil enforcement officers patrols the city daily. If members of the public are concerned about a specific location, they should contact our customer service team. We urge drivers to act responsibly when parking.”