Firefighters in Watford are calling on drivers to stop blocking the road outside their fire station.

They say they have to fight through the standstill traffic in Lower High Street everyday when responding to 999 calls.

Crew commander David Chatfield says when the emergency call comes in, every second counts.

He told the Observer: “Seconds can cost life and you never know, we may be on the way to help someone you love. It’s vital we are not impeded.”

The fire station has been situated in this part of town since 2010 and often Lower High Street is clogged up with traffic heading towards Waterfields Way and Bushey Arches.

Mr Chatfield says when the traffic is backing up, “nine times out of ten” there will be vehicles queuing right outside the fire station.

Watford Observer: Drivers queuing outside the fire station (photo David Chatfield)Drivers queuing outside the fire station (photo David Chatfield)

He said: “Particularly at weekends, during rush hour, school pick-up and drop-off, we’re fighting our way through and it’s a constant battle. 

“Now that it’s coming up to Christmas and it’s getting busier, we want to push the message out there that people can’t be stopping right outside.”

The fire station is one of the busiest in Hertfordshire and Mr Chatfield says he and his colleagues will more often that not find access onto Lower High Street from their forecourt blocked.

Currently, there are zigzagged lines that read ‘keep clear’ and a couple of signs that say ‘no stopping’ - but Mr Chatfield can understand why these signs are disobeyed.

Watford Observer: The zig zag lines outside the station warning drivers to keep clear (photo David Chatfield)The zig zag lines outside the station warning drivers to keep clear (photo David Chatfield)

He said: “They’re (drivers) just following the traffic and may not be completely aware of their surroundings. It’s also not well signposted that there’s a fire station.

“We are hoping to get yellow hatch markings put right across the road but it could take some time.

“So in the meantime, we are just asking people to be considerate and leave space for us to get out. The whole forecourt needs to be kept clear.”

The firefighter has also raised concerns about drivers travelling on the wrong side to turn into Watford Fields Road.

He said: “We’ve seen a couple of accidents recently and even had our route blocked by someone coming down Lower High Street on the wrong side.

“Even if it saves you two minutes of queuing please don’t do this.”