FEARS that emergency vehicles cannot get around parked cars have prompted plans for double yellow lines to be painted on two narrow roads in the centre of Shaftesbury.

Under current proposals, both Church Lane and Lyons Walk would be the subject of new parking restrictions with the move having been backed by Shaftesbury Town Council.

However, opinion on the scheme among people living in the two affected roads has been divided with seven people writing in objection and six in support.

At their meeting on Tuesday, members of the Dorset Council eastern area planning committee considered the introduction of new restrictions ahead of a final decision being made by the cabinet.

Recommending that they give their support, highways officer Jessica Cutler said parked cars were blocking access along the roads and to homes and also leading to damage to external gas meter boxes.

Her report said obstructions were being reported 24-hours-a-day, often including blocking homes’ windows and doors, prompting the decision for double yellow lines over any other form of restriction.

However, speaking at the meeting, Ann Sellers, who lives in Church Lane, said she would be “driven out of the town” if the ability to park on the road was removed.

“When I bought my house a year ago I compromised on not having a dedicated parking space,” she said.

“All of the Church Lane residents I have spoken to are upset about this. I see no reason why the residents of another street can determine where we can park.”

But Julia Bradford, who lives in Lyons Walk, said the restrictions would be beneficial.

“Both Lyons Walk and Church Lane are single track which makes for a narrow thoroughfare," she said.

“Parked cars can make access extremely difficult, and on some occasions impossible.

“Residents should be able to access their homes but not to park however they like – the important thing is that there should be access for emergency vehicles.”

Supporting the restrictions, councillor Derek Beer said the scheme had been discussed “for a number of years” in light of a number of reported incidents.

Committee members agreed to support the introduction of double yellow lines with a final decision being made at a future meeting of the cabinet.