CONCERNS have been raised about the number of cars being parked on a busy Thornbury road, with fears growing that they could lead to an accident.

Many of the cars left on Midland Way belong to staff at the expanding insurance company Europa, which is one of the biggest firms in the area.

Europa paid £20,000 towards improving public transport facilities in the area, a parking review and parking orders as part of the planning process when it moved to its current site and made planners aware of its expansion proposals.

It has gone from a staffing level of 200 to 500 and formed a committee to look at ways of tackling travel problems.

But it said with only 200 parking spaces on site, other workers were forced to park elsewhere.

It has led to worries that the flow of traffic on Midland Way is being affected, especially as the road is used by a large number of lorries going to and from the industrial estate.

Marlyn Truckle, who runs Curtains-Petite in Tytherington, uses the road most days.

She said: "I have witnessed a very large lorry having to actually go up on the grass verge to avoid a car coming in the opposite direction, overtaking this long line of parked cars."

Mrs Truckle said she had also seen a lorry driver on the wrong side of the road as the vehicle couldn't fit between a parked car and some bollards.

She said: "Cars can only be parked on one side of the road but they make it very narrow."

The issue has been raised by Thornbury Town Council and at a meeting of the Thornbury and Alveston Safer Stronger Community Group.

Dan Budd, who chairs the Safer Stronger group, said: "Residents are concerned about the potential for an accident to happen."

The town council also asked South Gloucestershire Council to investigate.

Andy Cole, head of operations at Europa, said the company had taken steps to alleviate the problems and continued to explore any options that would help alleviate concerns.

He said: "The Europa Group board and senior management team are aware of local residents' recent concerns regarding parking along Midland Way towards Link Road. This matter is being treated very seriously by ourselves.

"We actively remind staff about parking responsibly and safely and we certainly do not encourage our staff to park in any manner that may create an obstruction on Midland Way or may be contrary to highways regulations."

Having made a contribution through the planning process, he said the money could have been used to restrict parking, such as putting down double yellow lines.

Mr Cole said Europa had spoken with the police and encouraged car sharing and cycling by staff.

It had also asked for an increased bus service and looked for unoccupied space nearby that could be used for parking.

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesman said a traffic engineer had been due to visit Midland Way this week to assess road safety conditions, traffic flow and parking in the area.

He said: " A scheme to improve Midland Way will be included in phase two of the Thornbury Town Centre parking review and local residents will be invited to comment on these plans during our consultation which begins in December.”