POLICE have stepped up patrols on a busy bus route after parked cars blocked vehicles from accessing designated routes.

Officers have been called to Sidbury Circular Road on several occasions as the regular active8 bus has been struggling to get through due to cars parked on both sides of the road.

The Salisbury Reds service around the Zouch Estate has been a recent addition to the Salisbury to Andover route after campaigns to enable military families to access local amenities more easily.

However, due to the parked cars, buses have been unable to pass through the loop around Sidbury Circular Road before going on to Station Road and Ludgershall.

Police will now be stepping up patrols around the estate to warn offending vehicle owners, while there are calls fromthe towncouncil, Garrison HQ and Wiltshire Council to increase the number of parking spaces in the Forces accommodation area.

Tidworth Town Council representative for the Bus Partnership, Councillor Humphrey Jones, said: “In the run-up to Christmas, the Sidbury Circular loop of the activ8 bus route in Tidworth became impassable to buses on several occasions due to thoughtless parking by a fewresidents. This led to the police being asked to attend.

“It also meant that many disappointed Tidworth residents were not able to catch the bus to their planned destinations.”

He added: “The police will now be conducting regular patrols along this route and any vehicle deemed to be causing an obstruction will be noted and a warning notice affixed to the windscreen. Persistent offenders will be liable to prosecution.”

Stagecoach, who manage the service, have been informed of the measures.