Residential Parking

[dsammie0]

I live near a train station and it is difficult parking in my street. Some neighbours continually put out their own cones to stop people parking outside their houses. This affects me as I can't always park outside my house and have to park elsewhere, often outside neighbours houses. What makes it worse are these neighbours have driveways too, They just dont like people parking outside their house and often ask people visiting me to move their cars. They also put food and lard on cars that park outside their houses. There are no parking restrictions on this road. Can these people claim the road outside their houses as their own? What should i do?

[Whickerman]

Nope. They have no right to the road outside their houses, and they have no right to park outside their houses either.

My suggestion if someone uses lard on your car? Use paint stripper on theirs.

[Ethel]

As there are no parking restrictions anyone can park anywhere that cause obstruction to other road users.

Cones are meaningless - unless they are police or other authority cones - and can be moved. Thinking about it, there must be an offence committed by putting these cones on the public highway - littering, obstructing highway...?

It is obstruction to park on white lines that are painted across dropped kerbways. The police can act on complaints of obstruction from the householder.

Interfering with vehicles is obviously against the law - if there is the slightest hint of damage it could be criminal damage, otherwise it is a civil trespass.

Sadly, knowing your rights and entitlements is totally different from physically getting them.

Would it be possible to turn the street into a 'residents' parking area' where permits are required? This would cost, obviously, but should stop commuters parking.

Is it one household that is being awkward, or several? The majority?

[TEAK36]

I understand where you are coming from dsammie0, as I have a similar problem.

I live in a street which is very close to our town centre and most of the time it is very difficult to park anywhere near my house because people just find it easier to park outside my house and stroll into work in the town centre rather than pay to park in the town. This is not even a daytime problem as opposite my house is the Royal Mail sorting office, and the night shift park on our street even though Royal Mail have its own car park.

It is very frustrating, but there is not much that can be done about it as they are not breaking any laws, they are just being very inconsiderate to the residents. Putting cones out does not work as they just get removed.

My house has a driveway between my and my neighbours house, but our houses were built in the 1930's, and I cannot drive my car down the drive without it scraping the mirrors.

Our local council are now looking at parking restrictions, and I would gladly pay to be guaranteed to park outside my house. This too may be your only option.

[beryllium]

Hi There dsammie0,

We had had enough of people parking outside our little house, we only had 1 car and everyone else 2 or 3 cars.

My darling husband, leaves for work at 5.30am and gets home at 7 pm and by then all the spaces had been taken. We had some scroats badly key our car as it was out of eyeshot.

Our solution? we bought another car. �560. Tiny little Fiat and we park it badly enough to take up 2 spaces. Then, when he gets home, I just move it up and he has his space.

So I suppose it's a bit like paying for a space lol.... c'est la vie. If you cant beat them? join them hehe.....

[EBsonicBoom]

I agree with Ethel. The cones placed on the highway by your neighbours will be 'obstructing the highway', therefore you should inform the highways authority or even the Police. Under Section 137 of the Highways Act 1980 it is an offence to "wilfully" obstruct the highway: The "highway" includes the pavement and private property used as a public thoroughfare. It is possible to be found guilty of obstructing the highway merely by occupying part of it by standing on it. However, the police will have to prove wilful obstruction.

If, however, someone was to park obstructing your neighbours driveways, they would also be 'obstructing the highway'.

[Stu Dent]

Might be best if the residents requested a meeting with their Councillor and ask about getting them to introduce and enforce parking restrictions.

I can see how it would be annoying not to be able to park near to your home due to commuters parking in 'your' place. But, as long as they tax their cars they have every right to be there. The taste of the pill may be sweetened if your property benefits from any increase in value due to it's proximity to the train station.

[Matthew527]

What are the laws against taking or towing away cars if parked in a restricted residential bay for permit holders? Are there any laws to protect the public? Are there any limits as to what the councils can charge to release vehicles?

[Matthew527]

What are the laws against taking or towing away cars if parked in a restricted residential bay for permit holders? Are there any laws to protect the public? Are there any limits as to what the councils can charge to release vehicles?