BOSSES at a Plymouth scaffolding firm are fed up with unthinking motorists blocking the entrance to its depot.
LTC Group 87 said it is increasingly having difficulties manoeuvring lorries into and out of its base at Wixenford Depot, on Colesdown Hill, between Plympton and Plymstock.
Company chiefs say the problem has been exacerbated since parking charges were brought in at the nearby Saltram House in April last year.
A small car park near Wixenford Depot has also been closed, and Katie Chinn, director of training at LTC Training Services – a key division of LTC Group 87, which also has powered access and scaffolding sections – said motorists have been parking, for free, in the narrow country road.
She is hoping Plymouth City Council will be able to take action to rectify the problem.
"People are parking their cars and blocking access," she said. "People want to park their cars and go walking at Saltram.
"But they are blocking the road, cars can barely get through let alone lorries.
"It's frustrating and has got worse in the past 18 months.
"We've just had a situation where a lorry can't get through."
Miss Chinn said a sign the company put up was removed, and LTC had decided not to place flyers on cars because it would be too time consuming.
She said the parking woes are the latest in a string of road-related issues for LTC.
Last year, the company had to ask highways chiefs for action to rectify potholes after some vehicles were damaged.
"We've been here for 20 years and have had continuing issues with the state of the road," she said.
A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall police said there was nothing the force can do unless there are already restrictions in the road, or emergency vehicles can't get past.
He said the company should enter talks about installing road signs.
"They will have to take it up with the local authority," the spokesman said.
Plymouth City Council said the firm had not been in contact about the problem parking, but nevertheless it will increase parking patrols now it is aware of the issue.
"If the company wants to discuss its concerns or request safety-related parking restrictions it should contact our parking team on 01752 305580," a council spokeswoman said.
"We will increase our parking patrols in the area but if the company believes the road is being obstructed it should call the police on 101."
A spokeswoman for the National Trust, which owns Saltram House, said: "Car parking charges were introduced here in April 2014, and National Trust members continue to park for free.
"We are in ongoing discussions with Plymouth City Council to ensure we have the best and most effective routes in and out of the Saltram estate, including the provision of footpaths and cycleways."
She added: "We're committed to conserving and caring for this historic 180-hectare site, and ensuring we have the funds to carry out the vital conservation work required.
"New visitor facilities and improved car parking at Saltram continue to be put in place to make everyone's visit as enjoyable as possible."