Access to our own drive

[twinny-15]

My husband and I both have mobilty problems and have our car parked on our drive but it is frequently blocked by a neighbour who seems annoyed when asked to move it so we can go out! I have noticed some drives have white lines on the road to show the drive access .Does anyone know how to get this done and the cost involved? Thanks twinnyx

[hc4361]

I assume you have a dropped kerb, which means you are not breaking the law when you drive over the pavement to your drive. (Is there a pavement?)
In any case it is an offence to obstruct a dropped kerb. Contact your local police if you think the problem is serious enough.
The council should not charge to paint a white line across your drive, but phone them and check. It is the highways department you need to speak to.

[yogi-bear]

Hi twinny,

I dont have a clue about what costs are, if any, as there may be exclusions for certain age groups....but i would contact you're local council and ask them which dept to speak to in respect to this. They will put you in the right direction.

In the meantime, just ask you're neigbour politely if they can always remember to keep you're driveway clear, as you find it hard to pull out of it......and that they will not be botherd as a result to move their car, if they do. ( They should'nt block you're access anyway, so that is something you can mention to the council dept you deal with.

Best of luck to you, and you're husband, my lovely

yogi

[twinny-15]

Thanks for your prompt reply, yes we have to drive over the pavement and the driveway is all legal with dropped kerb.Tthis evening same neighbour was covering half the drive access and when asked to move so hubby could go out said he could get out without her moving! Mmmm.

[yogi-bear]

Sounds like your neighbour is a stubborn so and so.......i would suggest involving the police as hc4361 mentioned, if she does'nt comply to simple courtesy.

I would try the Highways agency dept first and see what they say.

All the best, twinny :0)

[twinny-15]

She does this quite often but seems to think even though there is ample room for her to park without causing problems she is doing nothing wrong.

[yogi-bear]

Does'nt matter what she thinks if theres room or not, twinny.....

The fact is that it's you're drive, NOT hers and you have every right to be able to have unlimited access to it....she is breaking the law and if she persists with it, i would either warn her that if she keeps doing it, you will call in the police......or just call them anyway.....depends on how you get on, which does'nt sound too great.

Best of luck sweetie

[twinny-15]

Thanks everyone for your excellent advice, will get in touch with council and we did get on with her, my hubby watched her 2 small dogs when she went away for the weekend twice but after no thanks and her parking we have not helped her since. she just does not seem to care.

[ChuckFickens]

I've found parking 2 cars about 1cm from each end of the offending car a few times gets the message across.

[yogi-bear]

You are most welcome, twinny, and wish you best of luck again x

( thanks for coming back to reply, my lovely )

[yogi-bear]

Hey Chuck........that is an excellent plan......and as cunning as a fox who's just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University.....lol :0)

[boxtops]

It was a few years back but I had a problem with shoppers from the supermarket opposite blocking the entrance to my garage - the council charged £35 for the white marking (guess it's probably more than that now!) but well worth doing.

[CSG2306]

Hi,

From past experience, my neighbour used to block me in on many occasions. I eventually reported this to the police who finally stopped it.

Your neighbour is " Obstructing an entrance to a public highway" which is breaking the law. The police will get involved and act on your behalf.

On the other hand when I returned in the evening and found my drive blocked there was nothing I could do as there is no law regarding "Obstructing a private drive".

You will only have to call the police once, I guarantee they will not block your drive again.

[smudge]

Your neighbour sounds like a really selfish mare, 'specially if she knows you & your husband have mobility problems & even if you didn't, they have no right to block you in! It's your drive & you should have easy access at all times!

As others have said, the next time it happens call the police!

Good luck.

[twinny-15]

Thanks for all your replies most grateful. Twinny xx

[stanbesida]

I have the same problem with my neighbour, I have a disabled box outside my house and he says I am using his customers parking spaces up and I should park round the back but the council put the box at the front as I have 7 steps to climb at the back, every time I move the car he puts his van on the box and he has encouraged people to park either on the top of my drive or on the box as he got a letter from his friend who is an MP which states "It is not illegal to park on a disabled box or at the top of somebody's drive" I have contacted the council but there is nothing they can do, however, the police can charge your neighbour with obstruction if he is preventing you from getting in and out of your drive. Every time that he blocks the drive don't contact him, call the police, tell them what is happening and they will advise him that he will be charged if he persists. DON'T be antagonised by your neighbour as he will get the message once he gets a summons for obstruction. I really hope this helps

[twinny-15]

Thanks stanbesida, I am sorry to hear you have a worse problem than we do with inconsiderate people it's a shame they just can't be grateful they are in full health and be aware of peoples needs. twinny

[stanbesida]

Hi Twinny,
I hope my advice was of some assistance and that you eventually get the matter resolved once and for all, unfortunately I will have to wait until the law changes before I can get my problem sorted out properly,
best regards, John