FEARS that parked cars could obstruct emergency vehicles have prompted Worcester City Council to get tough on workers who are parking in quiet residential streets.

It says new parking restrictions could be in place within six months but employers still have to do more to persuade their staff not to use cars.

As the Worcester News reported last month, people who live at the southern end of Warndon Villages, near Worcestershire Royal Hospital, say there are so many cars parked outside their homes during the day they fear ambulances and fire engines would not be able to drive down their streets if there was an emergency.

Andy Walford, Worcester City Council's transportation officer, told Warndon Parish Council the problem was caused because there were more staff at the call centre Reality than there was car parking space on the business park on Newtown Road.

He said persuading staff to share cars and use public transport had not yet worked.

Mr Walford said: "Reality have acknowledged there is a problem. There has to be a package of measures the city council can enforce effectively.

"We are happy to consider whatever option residents consider best. But we need a rapid resolution. This could happen in less than a year, maybe even less than six months."

He added the council was still working with employers to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

Residents will now be consulted on whether they want time limits to be imposed on parking in their streets.

Nightingale Avenue resident Keith Curran said: "We've been asking them nicely to move but now they are getting belligerent and they have no intention of moving unless they are forced to so. It's a situation that's escalating.

"It's getting worse. Old people are asking people to move and they are getting sworn at.

"Some people are having to mount the pavement just to get in and out of their homes.

"We moved there because there was nice greenery. Now we can't even see it."

Fellow Nightingale Avenue resident Shirley Williams said: "It's a terrible problem. Sometimes we can't even get into our drives and they're there from the early morning until 6pm.

"We're all elderly people up here and one day there'll be a need for an ambulance and it won't get through."