IF there is one thing the fire brigade needs in dealing with calls for help, it's speed. And, just as it has to arrive at a blaze as fast as possible, it now deserves an express solution to the problems it's faced in Worcester's Arboretum.

Three times in a week, firefighters were blocked by parked cars from using the quickest route to attend blazes.

In fact, the circumstances were so desperate that fire crews had to leap from their tenders and race on foot to the properties.

Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt in any of the call-outs. But the danger is crystal clear. As firefighters have told us, the next incident could cost someone their life.

So, while it's all very well for city councillors to discuss last night what needs to be done, they must not lose sight of the urgency.

As we report on Page 5 today, diagonal parking along the narrow Victorian streets and measures to stop vehicles being left near street corners may be good ideas.

It looks as if time will be needed to carry out discussions, report back to the next meeting of the development services policy and review committee, debate the matter further and then allow the full council to have its say.

However, it must not be forgotten that the residents of The Arboretum will be living with an increased risk during the bureaucratic process.

Red tape must not be allowed to entangle what is, at its heart, the straightforward matter of allowing emergency vehicles to quickly reach the scene of an incident.

The message to the powers-that-be is equally simple - act now before it's too late.