TWO bus services had to divert their route at the weekend due to "inconsiderate parking."

The last two X8 Morebus services from Poole and Blandford had to divert on Saturday, February 13 as Gurkha Road was impassable.

Two parked cars caused the disruption, which lasted until the next morning, by not leaving enough room for buses to pass.

Morebus operations manger, Paul Knight said: "We were informed at 6.21pm on Saturday that Gurkha Road was impassable. This resulted in the last two X8 services from Poole and Blandford having to divert.

"The road was still impassable at 10.21am the following day. It wasn't until 11.56am that police were able to attend the area and speak to the offending vehicle owners, that the road was cleared for our vehicles to pass. This would have resulted in the first two X8 services from Blandford and the first from Poole having to divert again.

"We routinely have issues with inconsiderate parking on Gurkha Road. It's worth noting that if we can't get through, neither can a fire engine. It may be that further parking restrictions are needed and we will revisit this with the local authority in the coming weeks."

Police attended Gurkha Road on Sunday, February 14 after being called at 10.40am.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "Enquiries were made to locate the owners in order to ask them to move their vehicles.

"If a vehicle is parked on double yellow lines, or an area that is restricted, for example on a junction, this would be dealt with via the local council.

"If a vehicle is parked on a pavement, Civil Enforcement Officers at the local councils are responsible for dealing with obstructions on the road and pavements where waiting restrictions apply, such as yellow lines. They can issue penalty charge notices.

"Obstructions of the road and pavements, including verges, are actioned by Dorset Police. We will only attend if there is a total obstruction of the highway preventing access or if a vehicle has been left in a dangerous position."