Parking problems

JCP

I believe the actual offence is to block the exit from a valid driveway (ie dropped kerb). Not sure you can do anything if you aren't actually being blocked in? Somebody on the Motoring Forum will undoubtedly be able to answer this though.

In a previous property this was constantly happening, and I ended up calling the Police when my OH (at the time) who was on-call for the Fire Brigade couldn't get his car out. The Police appeared, albeit not particularly quickly, and towed the car away.

When the owner knocked on the door that evening asking if I had seen anyone stealing his car, I took great pleasure in informing him that it had been towed. Needless to say it never happened again.

Reggie_Rebel

Phone plod, tell them you saw a bloke with a beard put a rucksack in the boot. The car won't get parked there again

matphil

If you don't want to leave a note on the windscreen maybe you could leave your car on your drive on a day when you go to the hospital, maybe ask someone else to drive you or get a taxi. When this other person turns up to park their car across your drive that day hopefully they will notice that you use the drive and not park across it again.
If they do park there and block you in then you have a good reason to get their car towed away and should stop them doing it again.

dazzer68

was actully told this recently by a policeman
its illegal to park in front of some ones drive if a car is in the drive way, but not illegal to do so if no car present! i know it doesnt help, but what about asking a neighbour to park in your drive till you get home? then if they are blocking the car in a call to the police should put a stop to it. otherwise contact council ans ask for white lines to be painted. do you ever see traffic wardnes in your area? you could ask for their advice.

pinkshoes

As already said, it's only an offence if they block your car IN, rather than stop you getting onto your driveway.

I'd probably start with a polite message on the windscreen asking them to not park obstructing your driveway, as you are disabled and need to park on your drive.

Half of me would be tempted to smash the window, take the handbrake off, and push it out the way, but that would be naughty, so don't do it!

Does letting the tyres down count as criminal damage? (don't do that either!)

Could you get your neighbour to park their car infront of your drive, then move it when you get home?

heretolearn_2

Can you get a neighbour to help you block their car in - give them a taste of their own medicine! Park one car one inch from their front bumper and one car one inch from their back bumper, and ignore any knocks on the door for a day or so...

IHD

Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer. Its as i thought about parking across the driveway , i wouldnt dare take the chance of not getting the car off the drive , if i cant get to hospital , its too risky ! I think i will start by putting a note on the windscreen . I just had a thought that this might alarm the car ? then wait (behind my driveway gates for safety?) and see who comes out to the car.

LilacPixie

if you are friendly with neighbours and they are home earlier than you are ask them if theywould mind blocking your drive until you return

fantafan

We had this issue and did contact highways as people did think it was ok as the underfloor of our house was a shop and because the car was set that far back sometimes you couldn't see it. I called the cops once and they came out and told a lady off (I reversed all the way up to show she had blocked it). The council has painted a "H" bar which legally police and remove the car if it blocks in or out. People still block or make it difficult on occaision but if I'm not going out I don't fuss too much.
Before I had the "H" painted, the cops said tough, now they come to book with glee!

Hope this helps - http://www.sefton.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=3186#1 (not my council but it's good on explaining).

diable

Ask the council about dropped kerb enforcement, hassle the police, get four trolley jacks and "move" the car in to the middle of the road.