Pickmere Lake gridlock fears as parked cars block emergency crews

Residents living near Pickmere Lake say they live in ‘constant fear’ as parked cars continually cause gridlock in the village.

Police and paramedics struggled to reach two recent medical emergencies as residents battled to get drivers to move their vehicles.

Parked cars blocking roads at Pickmere Lake (Image: Supplied)

Both times an air ambulance was called.

One person is believed to have had a seizure in the lake on Sunday, August 11.

A week earlier, an ambulance was called after a medical emergency at a house near the lake.

A spokesman for Pickmere Residents Association, who helped to clear a route for the police and ambulance, said: “The emergency services had difficulty getting through because of the level of parking.

“Despite flashing lights and sirens, it took us 10 minutes to get people to back up in a crowded road to help the ambulance get through.

“It is very alarming. It if had been a life-threatening incident on Sunday, someone could have died.

“This is the worse week I have ever seen. Every time the sun shines, we come under siege.

“Hundreds pile into the village and fill every single roadside spot, including double yellow lines.”

Residents are often unable to get into their own properties.

One family returning from an overseas holiday had to get a taxi to drop them off outside the village and wheel their cases home.

One lady who is nine months pregnant couldn’t get out of her house because her drive was blocked.

The residents’ spokesman added: “When she confronted a driver to move his vehicle he just said: 'Why, are you in labour?'

“Elderly villagers who have serious medical conditions might need an ambulance at any moment.

“They are constantly worn down by fear that the worst could happen.

“We are all on tenterhooks. Living here has become a nightmare.”

Litter collected by residents (Image: Supplied)

Anti-social behaviour and the misuse of drugs and alcohol has plagued the village since Covid as crowds flock to the lake in the hot weather.

“They leave litter and other awful things all over the fields and the lake frontage,” said the residents’ spokesman.

Rubbish left behind by visitors (Image: Marston Parish Council)

“The lake has no toilets so you can guess what we have to deal with.

“We have put signs up for ‘no barbecues’ but our picnic tables have been ruined with burn holes.

Disposable barbecues left at Pickmere (Image: Marston Parish Council)

“There is no respect for our property.”

A massive field fire shocked the community a few weeks ago.

A massive field fire shocked the community (Image: Marston Parish Council)

In a joint statement, chairmen of Pickmere, Wincham and Marston parish councils, reassured residents.

Cllrs Ewan Campbell, Kenton Barker and Marion Potts said: “The blaze quickly spread due to dry conditions.

Aftermath of the field fire (Image: Marston Parish Council)

“The fire has caused damage to property, significant distress and disruption and has undoubtedly impacted the wildlife that shares our lake.

“We understand the anxiety and concern this incident has caused and we are committed to providing support to those affected.

“All the private landowners and residents must come together as a community to support each other.

“Let us use this opportunity to strengthen our bonds and show the resilience that defines our residents who have long suffered because of the anti-social behaviour of others.”

The three parish councils plan to meet Cheshire’s new police and crime commissioner Dan Price in the coming weeks to discuss the continued anti-social behaviour.