SIR – I am a resident living on Ogden Lane, and my mother and father-in-law live around the corner on Ogden Crescent.

Sometimes we drive round, and this can prove very difficult due to the number of cars that are double-parked at the side of the road, at the junction to Ogden Crescent, as the space left is only just wide enough for a single vehicle.

This problem was highlighted last week, when the crew of a fire engine wanted to gain access to the top part of Ogden Crescent, but could not get through for the cars that were double-parked on the side of the road.

The firemen had to leave their engine on Ogden Lane and walk to the house on Ogden Crescent. Even though they used their sirens to gain attention from the owners of the cars, nobody came out.

On this occasion, they were only doing a fire alarm check – next time they need to gain access to Ogden Crescent it could be for a fire, and lives could be lost.

Every property on the street has a private drive, yet people choose to park their cars on the side of the road, potentially blocking access for emergency vehicles.

Mrs Downing, Ogden Lane, Denholme