Lorry parking in our lane

[Batterseadog]

Hi, I live in a narrow lane which has a continuous single white line and no pavements. It just goes into verge.
A large lorry has taken to parking overnight, pulling onto the verge and chewing it up beyond repair but it also protrudes out on the lane. Sometimes it parks the wrong way round and on the occasions it doesn't, it roars down the lane to find a turning place and comes back up again at 6.00 am. We only have one street light and this lorry blocks the light from one direction in the lane. It is inconsiderate, dangerous and annoying, what are the legalities please anyone?

[Buenchico]

Highway Code Rule 246 (which relates to the provisions of Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act 1988):
"Vehicles with a maximum laden weight of over 7.5 tonnes (including any trailer) MUST NOT be parked on a verge, pavement or any land situated between carriageways, without police permission. The only exception is when parking is essential for loading and unloading, in which case the vehicle MUST NOT be left unattended"

Highway Code Rule 248 (which relates to the provisions of Regulation 101 of the Construction and Use Regulations and to Regulation 24 of the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989:
"You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space"
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport /Highwaycode/DG_069860

In many (mainly urban) areas, most parking matters have been 'de-criminalized' and are now dealt with by the local authority. In other areas, it's still the police (and/or traffic wardens) who deal with parking. Your local Community Constable is probably the best person the speak to. He/she will either speak to the driver directly or refer the matter to the appropriate people.

Chris

[sddsddean]

As a condition of the Operators Licence, the vehicle must be parked in a suitable place when not in use. If near its base, this means its operating centre; if away from its centre, a suitable lorry park or premises. Go up to the windscreen and look for the Operators Licence. It is the same size as a tax disc and will probably be green or blue, but it could be white or orange as well! Note the operator number (AB 123456) and the reg of the truck and report them to VOSA by e mail or post.
http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosacorp/contactus/cont actus.htm

[Batterseadog]

Fab replies thank you. Don't know why the guy has to spoil a beautiful area and chew the verge up anyway, let alone make it dangerous for vehicles and the occasional dog walker. Might get a good lay in too, you never know!

[Batterseadog]

Hello again,
Well trying to get this lorry moved is becoming a nightmare. Local police are ooh-ing and aah-ing about its not their district. I've tried to contact the local community officer who has not had the decency to get back to me. I've been fobbed off with comments like 'well is he causing an obstruction' and I should contact the council because its a parking offence. The lorry has now moved further down the lane towards his home and is parking in the school entrance (yellow zig zags) and blocking the phone box from view. He is still partially on the lane and they are trying to tell me that as long as a vehicle can get through.... Last night I called the traffic section and they told me they only had one vehicle on duty and if they got the time, they would take a look. Well that obviously never happened because he is there again tonight. It seems my quoting the Highway Code is having no effect. What now please?

[TWR]

Instead of reporting the driver who after all is trying to make an honest living & mabey getting up early to carry the goods to your supermarket to feed you & your family or to del bricks cement to build your extension, or the iol for your car or mabey the medical surplies for your hospitals or furniture for your home, why dont you ask the driver, I have been there in 30+Yrs of driving HGVs & always tried to be as quiet, move off without noise, Just have a thought about the poor sod that has to get up that time of the morning to make a living.

[Batterseadog]

Thank you for your comments TWR, my father was an HGV driver all his life and parked his lorry in an appropriate yard so disturbed no-one. I am not trying to stop the guy making a living, just play by the rules, like we all have to. It doesn't matter what he delivers (pallets) he is a driver, not a saint and he is being lazy and inconsiderate and breaking the highway code rules and the law. It's not my duty or responsibility to enter into dialogue about his driving, he shouldn't be there, and thats the whole point.