U-turns on narrow lane - legal?

Norma_Desmond

My house fronts on to the verge of a narrow country lane leading to next door's farm and I'm having problems with drivers almost hitting the house when they attempt to u-turn; one yesterday literally came within an inch of my front wall.

There is a layby/turning point further along the lane by the entrance to the farm and the lane is hardly the M4, but one day soon a car is going to bump my house - I already have a couple of big whitewashed boulders at strategic points on the verge which were here when we bought the house and I don't want to add more as I'm sure they're not absolutely legal in themselves.

Anything I can do except for bawling out said drivers?

bryanb

Nothing you can legally do unless they are driving on your land.

smokey_dave

I agree. not much you can do about it.

You knew about this problem when you bought the house.

wealdroam

Not sure you can take any action against any driver that almost caused damage.

Norma_Desmond

smokey_dave wrote: »

I agree. not much you can do about it.

You knew about this problem when you bought the house.

With respect, how could we have known about the problem in advance?

It's a little lane and I presume the previous owners put the boulders there to actually stop people parking on their way to the beach - it seems to be all tourists that do the u-turns.

Well, if anything, should a car bump my (solid stone) wall, then at least it'll come of worse.

Lum

If it's a narrow lane then they're going to have to come within a few inches of your house. The driver who did that clearly has decent spacial awareness and awareness of their vehicle's size... if not where they are going!

Short of getting the council to put up no U-turn signs, not much you can do about it. I don't really see the problem either, it's not like the low speeds involved in a U turn are going to damage your stone wall, though as you say they will make a right mess of the car.

ariba10

Is it mainly strangers to the area that you have Problems with?

If so, would a notice saying there is a turning point further along help?

Norma_Desmond

Lum wrote: »

If it's a narrow lane then they're going to have to come within a few inches of your house. The driver who did that clearly has decent spacial awareness and awareness of their vehicle's size... if not where they are going!

Short of getting the council to put up no U-turn signs, not much you can do about it. I don't really see the problem either, it's not like the low speeds involved in a U turn are going to damage your stone wall, though as you say they will make a right mess of the car.

You're probably right; I'm just a bit concerned about the odd driver that doesn't have decent spacial awareness and/or hits the accelerator by mistake.

Makes a mess of the verge too when it's wet.

Norma_Desmond

ariba10 wrote: »

Is it mainly strangers to the area that you have Problems with?

If so, would a notice saying there is a turning point further along help?

Yep, mainly visitors to the area; I may well get a sign put up OR borrow my neighbour's tractor to shift another boulder into place.

fivetide

Lum wrote: »

If it's a narrow lane then they're going to have to come within a few inches of your house. The driver who did that clearly has decent spacial awareness and awareness of their vehicle's size... if not where they are going!

Short of getting the council to put up no U-turn signs, not much you can do about it. I don't really see the problem either, it's not like the low speeds involved in a U turn are going to damage your stone wall, though as you say they will make a right mess of the car.

Or they were bloomin lucky!

Perhaps put some scuffs on the wall yourself and a few random splashes of paint so people think oothers have crashed into it already and think twice.

Seriously though, bar a "no turning" sign, there isn't much you can do if they are not on your land.

5t.

Sgt_Pepper_2

Norma_Desmond wrote: »

With respect, how could we have known about the problem in advance?

The white boulders were the clue.