Motorists are putting people’s lives at risk according to Sittingbourne firefighters.

Outside the fire station in St Michael’s Road there is a ‘keep clear’ sign painted on the road.

But despite the message, drivers are ignoring it and waiting in the area when tailbacks are created by the traffic lights further down the road.

Crews are now urging people to take note of the sign and leave a gap so they can get their vehicles out.

Watch manager Mark Innes said: “The idea of the keep clear sign is so we can get out of the station as quickly as possible.

“When cars stop in that area it becomes very dangerous because we then have to get around them.

“The other problem is when the cars are all in one long line there’s nowhere for them to go so we have to wait for them to pull away.

“We have a certain time in which to get to an incident and any delay could potentially put people’s lives at risk.”