RESIDENTS in Avebury's High Street fear it is only a matter of time before thoughtless parking leads to a tragedy.

Parked vehicles on the High Street regularly block the way for refuse collectors said parish council chairman Jenny Baldrey.

Last year an ambulance was unable to drive down the street because its way was obstructed by parked cars, and paramedics had to carry a patient on a stretcher.

On another occasion a bridal car was unable to get down the street to the church and the bride was forced to get out and walk.

Coun Bruce Hinder said: "God help us if there is a big fire.

"There are some thatched cottages at the bottom end of the street and there have been times when a fire engine would not have been able to get through."

Parish clerk and a district councillor Gretchen Rawlins said: "Not too many weeks ago the oil delivery lorry could not get through because parked cars were blocking the way and the coal lorry gets problems, too."

Coun Baldrey said: "It is getting very difficult to get down through the High Street and we are getting a lot of complaints from residents."

Parents using the village school and the Pebbles pre-school in the High Street are to be asked to use the car park at the top of the High Street instead of parking on the road.

Coun Baldrey said that the obstructions were largely caused by tourists' cars or mini-buses although sometimes residents and visitors were to blame.

She said that a meeting had been held towards the end of last year with residents, the police, Wiltshire County Council and the National Trust.

She said: "The general feeling was not in favour of double yellow lines because it was felt they would be too draconian and would spoil the appearance of the street."

But Coun Baldrey said there was no parking problem in Green Street on the other side of the A4361 Devizes-Swindon road where there are double yellow lines.

The parish council had suggested Wiltshire County Council could erect signs just past the entrance to the small car park at the top of the High Street, opposite the Post Office, saying No Access Beyond This Point.

Coun Baldrey said the police had wanted signs at the entrance to the High Street barring coaches and mini buses but the county council was not interested.

She thought that coaches and mini buses ought to use the village's main south car park on the Avebury-Beckhampton road where they can park for free.

She appealed to everyone wanting to go to the High Street to use the car parks and not cause an obstruction.

She said: "We want to try an awareness campaign and hope that it works otherwise we will be forced to consider having double yellow lines."

County councillor Chris Humphries said it had been agreed at the meeting last year that local councillors should carry out a survey to see who was responsible for the parking problems.

He said: "As soon as we know the result we can decide what is the most appropriate action to take."

Village beat officer PC Doug Downing said that, following a very successful operation on vehicle crime in the village last year, he is now focusing on parking issues.