FIREFIGHTERS are set to meet city leaders to resolve parking problems in Worcester's Arboretum, after crews had to abandon engines twice in a week and race to blazes on foot.

Worried Arboretum residents are backing plans to ease parking congestion around the narrow streets to allow emergency vehicles access.

"This is a problem that has to be solved one way or another, because the worst could happen and we don't want that," said fire brigade spokesman Alec Mackie.

"We'll be drawing to the attention of the city council the problems we've had getting firefighting vehicles into these areas."

Councillor Colin Bruton, who represents the area, will highlight the problem at next Tuesday's development services policy and review meeting.

"There are several plans in line regarding using other pieces of land around the area for residents' parking," he said.

"For instance, there's Westbury Street. There's a lot of effectively derelict land there and I'm pushing for it to be converted into some kind of car park.

"But which residents are going to park their car half-a-mile away?"

People in the Arboretum frequently battle to park their cars, as single yellow lines along the roads prohibit day-time parking.

"Part of the argument against day-time parking down both sides of the street is that emergency vehicles can't get down here," said Mike Heath, of Northfield Street.

Officials at Worcester Highways Partnership maintain a residents' parking scheme would do nothing to solve the problem.

Assistant engineer Paul Kyte explained the number of cars would be the same, it would just rid the streets of commuter vehicles but allow residents to park in their place.