Police have warned drivers they could be fined if their cars are parked badly causing an obstruction - and in extreme cases they could even be towed away.

Inspector Gavin Callow spoke to iomtoday.co.im about the issue after bus services through Willaston had to be diverted because the normal route was too congested for the bus to get through.

’Inconsiderate or illegal parking can cause access issues for public transport and 999 services. This could put lives at risk. We would like the public to think about where they park. If we have to, we will ticket offenders and even consider moving vehicles at the owners’ expense,’ he said.

The warning comes in the wake of a statement from Isle of Man Transport which said it had diverted the number 11 bus along Johnny Watterson’s Lane and Ballanard Road because it was not able to get past badly-parked cars in the Willaston estate.

A Bus Vannin spokesman confirmed services had since returned to normal, with no diversions in place.

’We had to divert a number of buses over the TT period because of badly parked cars, meaning that the route was too tight to fit a bus down.

’We share our passengers’ frustration, but the safety of our customers and staff is always our top priority.

’In circumstances such as this, our drivers pass on the information to the operations controller who immediately informs the police,’ he said.

In addition to Willaston services, some buses on Strang Road were similarly affected.

Concerns have been expressed in the past by emergency services in the island, including both police and the fire brigade over access to properties in some of the more congested residential areas in Lower Douglas. Problems have occured in relation to areas such as Castlemona Avenue and Mona Drive where former boarding houses have been converted to flats with multiple occupants competing for limited parking spaces. A government consultation was also undertaken in 2011 about possible alternatives to parking vans and motor homes in residential areas.