So how do we deter unwanted parking?

nigelbb

Engaging a PPC to manage the parking is like hiring bouncers instead of putting a lock on your front door.

peter_the_piper

In the old days one way was to put your own clamp on your own vehicle, great deterrant.

Stroma

Warning signs may help, but it depends on the people who are parking. And there are plenty of legal ways to deal with this problem. We cannot really offer advice specific to your situation as we don't know what that is. All we can do is offer general advice.

A barrier system will probably cost £2k-£3k between you all, parking posts will cost £50 or so each, a chain and maybe posts will cost about £50 also. Signs maybe £20-£30 for a few. Logically you try the cheapest option first.

But can I say that if the residents refuse to invest anything they must consider their parking places and this situation as not important enough or of no value to them.

Orrin

still_here wrote: »

Thanks for all the contributions. There isn't really an easy answer, it seems. Making the site gated, or fenced or chained etc involves trouble, expense, possible planning permission, and we really want to keep a light touch. It is possible that warning signs that something might happen to unentitled parkers will deter many, but there should be some legal and convenient way to enforce the simple right to park on your land. But then our legal system is far from perfect!

The cheapest solution without involving a PPC is to put up some threatening signs and do nothing. You could even buy some PCN bags and put them on your own cars now and again. That will at least give the impression enforcement is taking place and along with the signs should deter most casual parkers.

still_here

PPC means pay per click apparently! Thanks Orrin. I love the extra subtlety of some bogus parking tickets spread around to frighten off the bad guys. I am aware of many of the points mentioned, but I was not sure of the legality of the Tesco Express approach. Having enormous resources you might expect them to have researched properly. If they own the bit of land that you have parked on, and there is a very conspicuous sign saying, "By parking at this location you are agreeing to pay a sum of x Pounds if you remain for longer than y minutes" would that be legal? I suspect it would. Whether it would be fair or worthwhile for a small organisation to use is another matter.

Custard_Pie

Coupon-mad wrote: »

Put a simple chain & posts across the entrance(s) as a visible deterrent (one that can be moved with or without a key so residents can get in and out). That's enough to deter most drive-by would-be parkers round here.

It's the same sort of question as if you'd said 'my house doesn't have a front door, how can I deter burglars?' The answer would be put a door (barrier) in!

Instead of buying a door you could employ someone to watch a person go in, then fine them an obscene amount if they dared go in.
Buying a door is a simple option then never crossed my mind LOL

still_here

Looking back through the contributions I see that Forensic said, "However, no argument will persuade any forum member that trying to penalise them is either legal or fair. We all oppose such measures."
That comment doesn't make sense to me. Either it is legal or it is not. With all due respect it does not depend on the forum's views. As for fairness, you are saying trespassing parkers may penalise you, but you can't penalise them. That doesn't seem fair to me!

nigelbb

still_here wrote: »

As for fairness, you are saying trespassing parkers may penalise you, but you can't penalise them. That doesn't seem fair to me!

If people trespass then indeed the you can sue them for damages e.g. if someone were to park in your driveway.

Stroma

No private individual or private company can fine or penalise anyone. Getting a parking company in is not illegal, if they did a job and simply managed a car park then most would not have a problem.

But they don't they issue penalties which is not legal, why do you think hardly any of them go to court? They know that if this was done enmasse they would open this industry (lol) to a legal challenge that could wipe them out, parking eye one such company are doing court a lot, they will be pulled on their behaviour soon.

The point is though that you get one of them in and I can guarantee you 100% that its the residents who will be paying these unlawful penalties, its the only way they get paid, why do you think they do it for free ?

bazster

The truth is that if the private parking "industry" hadn't behaved so badly over the years then clamping would still be legal, but because they took the mickey so badly by clamping indiscriminately instead of only where it was justified they can't do it at all now.

And landowners need to take their share of the blame, for it was landowners who engaged the clamp gorillas. If responsible landowners such as the OP are disappointed at the lack of options now available to them, I suggest they take it up with the irresponsible landowners who brought about this situation, and not blame those of use who are still fighting against the ongoing appalling behaviour of the private parking "industry".