Train tracks and shared driveways (2 questions)

monkeyboy72

Apologies for asking two questions in one post but I was trying to gauge some opinions on shared driveways and train tracks at the end of your garden.

I remember from a previous post a lot of people saying they would avoid shared driveways where possible and was wondering if someone could elaborate on why this might be?, a property I am interested in has a shared driveway (between the 2 houses going to garages at the back)

Also another property has a trainline about 30 feet from the bottom of the garden, this properties price doesnt reflect this (compared to properties on the other side of the street) and was wondering if a train track would put you off?.

Thanks

StuC75

Driveways - what happens if one has several cars in the household \ Visitors who park on the driveway / doesnt always use the garage... This then affects the other household in terms of ease of access for there vehicle.. This probably becomes frustrating after a while \ upsets the harmony with the neighbours...

Trainlines - probably 'over the roads' prices are just as affected.. Also depends how busy the train line is -- is there a station nearby to count as a positive in terms of transport links? Granted over years people may become acustomed to the noise - but could you??

cr1mson

Can't answer re shared driveway but have lived near train tracks for most of my adult life and never found it a problem unless there are overnight works.

C

Jo_Mc_2

We had an absolute nightmare with a shared drive and an inconsiderate neighbour. We only had one car so had ample space for parking in front of our window. Our neighbours had three cars though, didn't use their garage and were frequently blocking the drive, plus visitors to their house would park across the drive therefore blocking access for us (for some reason our visitors never did this). On one occasion a visitor to their house parked on the drive, between the gates at the end, and I couldn't get out with my baby in his pram to collect my older child from nursery - when I asked if they could move the car I was told they were going soon. When they didn't and the time had come that I really needed to get out, they got abusive.
Also, they would allow their teenage son to play football on the drive, often after 9pm when my children were in bed - the drive was only narrow so the ball would ricochet off walls, windows and, often, the roof. When we asked them to stop, again we got abuse from them and were told that their kids could play where and when they wanted.

So yes, avoid shared drives.

unsure

Both are potentially problematic.
We were warned by our solicitor that a shared drive could be a problem but went ahead with purchase anyway. The maintenance of the drive was shared. With some concrete cracking, we suggested repairs, neighbour said he couldn't afford to do so but would give permission for us to do repairs and pay for it all! He then started a business selling bottled water and we would find big trucks blocking the drive while unloading at all sorts of odd times. These caused further damage. Then he started leaving his van parked on drive blocking our access. He always moved it if asked but it was a real hassle. Then he left.
New neighbours were a young couple who frequently left cars on drive and had friends who did the same, again blocking access. We tried explaining the legality that they had a right to cross the drive but not to park on it but it made little difference. Would occasionally get up in the morning to find our car trapped in garage by cars on drive and neighbours difficult to rouse. Again they weren't interested in maintenance. Latest neighbours are lovely, do joint maintenance and park considerately...just hope they don't ever move!

Train at bottom of garden. I viewed a flat once with this arrangement. Just as the estate agent was assuring me I'd "hardly notice" the trains, one came by and the whole house shook! I didn't buy. A friend living nearby said it was okay during the day but it was being woken by goods trains in the middle of the night that drove her mad. So as a minimum check the timetable, find out how busy the line is and make sure you are there to witness a train passing and see what effect it has on you. Some people might be oblivious others driven to distraction. Also bear in mind that the question may come up again for potential buyers if you ever think of selling. I'd buy on the other side of the road if there's no price differential!

gbcasual

There's little wrong with shared drives themselves, it's always down to who you share them with, and don't forget that can easily change in the time you live in a property.

If you do go for a house with shared drive, check the condition of it and talk with the neighbour if it needs replacing to see what their attitude towards cost, and their nature in general, is like.

Dark_Star

Once viewed a house where the garden it backed onto had a HUGE brick chimney - this was the vent from a railway tunnel that went under the road. Got the usual - you'll never notice the noise - then a train went under the house.....YIKES ! :eek:

So, no, I would never buy a house near/over train/tube tracks in constant use.

Share drive - depends on circumstances. We share a drive but only for access to our back gate, not for parking, so no problems at all. Space between houses is quite narrow so unless you own something tiddly that is scratchproof, it's unlikely to be in regular use & would not block our car. (Do the wheelybins count? )

IF the driveway led to two garages but only one car could be parked & thus block in a neighbour - then I would be wary. Unless you are a non car owner or can easily park elsewhere.

Some people are very precious about parking on their own property whilst others are not bothered provided there is a safe alternative.

Depends what you want.

Personally, I'd avoid it due to the trains....:)

warehouse

I'd love to live with train tracks at the end of the garden, but I'm sure others wouldn't. My friend purchased a lovely house with train tracks alongside and the price was considerably lower than similar houses around him. If you like it then there must be room for negotiation.

As for the shared drive? No chance. There are so many inconsiderate people around these days that it's simply not worth the risk.

JQ.

It's interesting that the people who have never lived next to train tracks are the ones warning against them, and those that have are saying it's ok.

I lived with train tracks 30ft from our house for 20 years and it was never a problem. I never even noticed them - trains every 10mins at peak and 20 mins off peak, running circa 6am to 11pm. You just become used to it and your mind just ignores it.

Having said that, I would want a discount against an identical property not next to train tracks, as the property is less marketable, as demonstrated by some of the comments in this thread.

I would further comment, that my experience is of local passenger trains, the noise and vibration of heavy goods trains or intercity's may be considerably worse, but I have no personal experience of that. So it could be worth investigating what type of trains are on the line.

DVardysShadow

Trainlines? Didn't they used to be called railways?

Ivana_Tinkle

I'm happy to be corrected if wrong, but I think train companies are allowed to build pretty much whatever they like next to railways without needing planning permission. I know there was a big fuss a few years back in Streatham where they built a massive area for carrying out train maintenance overnight - complete with floodlights - right at the bottom of people's gardens. Noise of trains passing wouldn't bother me at all, but that would!