Recurring concern
Unreliable emergency access arrangements for responders
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Request correctionFirst reported 1 Apr 2014•Latest report 20 Feb 2026
What this concern includes
Includes failures of dedicated arrangements that enable emergency responders to locate, plan access to and safely reach an incident, including hazardous or impracticable access routes and inadequate integrated electronic aids for location, route planning or safe passage.
Not included
- Excludes ambulance-only access failures where the concern is confined to ambulance crews gaining entry to care or emergency-treatment premises.
- Excludes emergency forced-entry arrangements concerning lawful entry into enclosed premises where the shared issue is authority or responsibility for forced entry rather than reaching the incident location.
- Excludes generic emergency response, dispatch, communication or equipment failures that do not directly impair responder access to the incident location.
- Excludes ordinary public access, pedestrian routes or workplace access hazards without an emergency-responder access function.
- Reports
- 14
- Individual concerns
- 15
- Date range
- 2014–2026
- Stated actions
- 21
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide the transport vehicle location to emergency services
This report raised 11 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Unsafe and difficult emergency access to the location
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Access to Sunnyside Works is suitable and safe for securing works, contrary to the owner's assertion that it is not.
Stated by Rossendale Borough Council
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide emergency access to the flat for carers and emergency services
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Inform the workforce about considering property access risks and contingency planning, including the role of key safes.
Stated by London Borough of Islington -
Action
Review the Key Safe Policy, including factors for deciding whether to install a key safe.
Stated by London Borough of Islington
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
The access assessment and telecare emergency contacts were considered sufficient contingencies instead of immediate keysafe installation.
Stated by London Borough of Islington
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Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure emergency-service access to the service road
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
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Action
Alter trade-waste collections so crews access the rear of shops, collect bins there, and leave the service road clear.
Stated by Walsall Borough Council -
Action
Notify shop and maisonette lessees that skips are prohibited on the service road and require written council consent for any placement.
Stated by Walsall Borough Council -
Action
Complete consideration of removing the barrier and determine that removal would exacerbate access obstruction.
Stated by Walsall Borough Council
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Retaining the barrier is considered preferable because removing it would worsen obstruction caused by unauthorised vehicle parking.
Stated by Walsall Borough Council
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Concerns raised1
Unavailability of a functioning out-of-hours emergency access route
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Remind customers across the housing stock how to contact out-of-hours services and improve related signage.
Stated by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association Limited
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Free access to the building cannot be provided for emergency services because of security requirements; remote or resident-enabled access is used instead.
Stated by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association Limited
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Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure unobstructed ambulance access through all security gates
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
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Action
Update emergency vehicle contingency plans with immediate ambulance notification, gate staffing, additional OSG support, proportionate searching, and information sharing to prevent access delays.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service -
Action
Provide all Custodial Managers an opportunity to participate in a live test of emergency vehicle receipt arrangements.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service -
Action
Deliver establishment-based training for OSGs on emergency vehicle receipt arrangements, with completion required for all OSGs by the end of 2019.
Stated by HM Prison and Probation Service
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Action
Establish a joint prison access process to provide ambulance crews with timely access to patients and identify expected emergency resources.
Stated by South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Obstructed emergency access to the property by parked vehicles
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised2
Failure to provide road signs that preserve emergency vehicle access at designated crossing points
Failure to maintain emergency vehicle access during public events
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Continually review event road closures to ensure they remain appropriate, minimal and safe.
Stated by Highways & Transportation (Leeds City Council)
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
Replacing road-closure signs could weaken their prohibition and create safety risks; existing signs should remain under current legislation with controlled emergency access measures.
Stated by Highways & Transportation (Leeds City Council)
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Position
Existing event management plans, designated crossing points and trained marshals sufficiently address emergency vehicle access and temporary event stoppages.
Stated by Highways & Transportation (Leeds City Council)
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Concerns raised1
Failure of the analogue Careline system to support concurrent emergency access and calls
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure of emergency-site access and wayfinding to expedite Ambulance arrival
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
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Action
Complete a full review and compile a controlled Emergency Procedures document addressing the reported safety concerns.
Stated by W.E.Rawson Limited -
Action
Issue the new Emergency Procedures document to all personnel as a refresher, including instructions to call emergency services promptly and station lookouts at site access points.
Stated by W.E.Rawson Limited -
Action
Provide flashlights in the security cabin for lookouts to attract emergency services’ attention.
Stated by W.E.Rawson Limited
Data last updated 7 September 2026