Car blocking mine so I can't get out of the driveway!

Fuzzy_Duck

Hi guys,

My partner and I have an issue with someone who is blocking our car in.

Basically we live in a house that's split into three apartments, and there are three cars in total, which just about fit in our driveway.

Saturday before last we found a car had parked direcly opposite ours. Our neighbours went out that morning, leaving us some space to maneuver, but my partner had only recently passed his test and didn't feel confident enough to get out without hitting the other car. When our neighbours returned, they told us they had also struggled to park.

My partner left a note on their car which was far too nice in my opinion, asking them not to park there 'especially at weekends'. Needless to say I leave the house this morning to find they have decided week days are fair game.

I will be the first to admit we don't use the car much, probably a couple of times a week, and I'm guessing they have noticed that. Obviously though we do need it sometimes, and when my partner's had more driving experience we intend to use it a lot more. I'm worried that the next time we absolutely have to use the car they will be blocking us in again.

So my question is, what can I do about it? Is it the police or my local council I report it to, and what can they actually do about it? Finally, will they care if we don't actually have to use the car at the time?

Thanks all. I know it's only happened twice now (that I know of anyway), but clearly they don't care and will continue to park there if I don't do anything.

molerat

You don't make it clear where the other car is parked. If on your property it is a civil matter, if parked on your side of the road across your dropped kerb then depending who controls parking in your area then police or council. If on the opposite side of the road then not a lot you can do. Re reading your post I assume your 3 cars park side by side very tightly in the front garden of the house ?

Custard_Pie

Fuzzy_Duck wrote: »

Hi guys,

My partner and I have an issue with someone who is blocking our car in.

Basically we live in a house that's split into three apartments, and there are three cars in total, which just about fit in our driveway.

Saturday before last we found a car had parked direcly opposite ours. Our neighbours went out that morning, leaving us some space to maneuver, but my partner had only recently passed his test and didn't feel confident enough to get out without hitting the other car. When our neighbours returned, they told us they had also struggled to park.

My partner left a note on their car which was far too nice in my opinion, asking them not to park there 'especially at weekends'. Needless to say I leave the house this morning to find they have decided week days are fair game.

I will be the first to admit we don't use the car much, probably a couple of times a week, and I'm guessing they have noticed that. Obviously though we do need it sometimes, and when my partner's had more driving experience we intend to use it a lot more. I'm worried that the next time we absolutely have to use the car they will be blocking us in again.

So my question is, what can I do about it? Is it the police or my local council I report it to, and what can they actually do about it? Finally, will they care if we don't actually have to use the car at the time?

Thanks all. I know it's only happened twice now (that I know of anyway), but clearly they don't care and will continue to park there if I don't do anything.

As has been said, if it's a Public Highway (1980 Highways Act, Council can tell you) then it's an obstruction of the highway. The Police will be reluctant to get involved and will probably try and fob you off, but in a worse case scenario, they should remove the vehicle. This will of course cause ill-feeling. Your best course of action is to speak to them again. The best way to protect access to a public highway is to pay to have a drop kerb installed (if you don't already have one via The Council). This helps with the obstruction of the highway. I used to park on the fringes of a college. Within a mile radius, students couldn't park there as you needed a permit. This meant that just outside the radius was a nightmare to park. When they didn't take the hint, somehow the cars got flour bombed and no one parked there again

Fuzzy_Duck

molerat wrote: »

You don't make it clear where the other car is parked. If on your property it is a civil matter, if parked on your side of the road across your dropped kerb then depending who controls parking in your area then police or council. If on the opposite side of the road then not a lot you can do. Re reading your post I assume your 3 cars park side by side very tightly in the front garden of the house ?

That's right, the three cars are parked very close together side by side on our driveway. The other car is parked on the street just outside our driveway, right in front of our car. Here's a picture I did in Paint quickly to show the layout:

http://postimg.org/image/dsr55vfmf/

duchy

If the rogue car is on the street directly in front of (not opposite) your dropped kerb- call the council -ours respond by sending a warden around straight away when the public ring up to complain about illegally parked cars. A few parking tickets and they'll soon rethink their parking spot.

I would also take photographs and email them to the council so the wardens are looking out for this particular issue.

Fuzzy_Duck

Custard_Pie wrote: »

As has been said, if it's a Public Highway (1980 Highways Act, Council can tell you) then it's an obstruction of the highway. The Police will be reluctant to get involved and will probably try and fob you off, but in a worse case scenario, they should remove the vehicle. This will of course cause ill-feeling. Your best course of action is to speak to them again. The best way to protect access to a public highway is to pay to have a drop kerb installed (if you don't already have one via The Council). This helps with the obstruction of the highway. I used to park on the fringes of a college. Within a mile radius, students couldn't park there as you needed a permit. This meant that just outside the radius was a nightmare to park. When they didn't take the hint, somehow the cars got flour bombed and no one parked there again

I don't know who they are as yet so ill feeling might not matter so much! We did try to catch them the first time they did it, and to be honest I was expecting a knock on the door and an apology when they returned and saw the note- but no, they drove off and we missed them unfortunately.

Fuzzy_Duck

duchy wrote: »

If the rogue car is on the street - call the council -ours respond by sending a warden around straight away when the public ring up to complain about illegally parked cars. A few parking tickets and they'll soon rethink their parking spot.

I would also take photographs and email them to the council so the wardens are looking out for this particular issue.

Thanks for this! If they're still there when I get back from work I'll take some photos and report it to the council.

spacey2012

Is the kerb dropped in front of your parking space area ?
If so, you can call the council wardens and inform them a car is parked across your dropped kerb causing an obstruction.
A few tickets and they will get the message.
They are surprisingly quick round when you inform them of a ticket to be had.

Fuzzy_Duck

spacey2012 wrote: »

Is the kerb dropped in front of your parking space area ?
If so, you can call the council wardens and inform them a car is parked across your dropped kerb causing an obstruction.
A few tickets and they will get the message.
They are surprisingly quick round when you inform them of a ticket to be had.

It's not a dropped kerb no- it's already a pain to get out because of that as the underneath of the car gets scratched. Does that mean the council won't take any action then?

duchy

It'll be down to local policy -why not give the parking dept at your council a call ? Different councils have differing policies- I know mine would go after this car - yours may not -only one way to find out.

Never hurts to have a friendly chat with the local wardens too

Fuzzy_Duck

duchy wrote: »

It'll be down to local policy -why not give the parking dept at your council a call ? Different councils have differing policies- I know mine would go after this car - yours may not -only one way to find out.

Never hurts to have a friendly chat with the local wardens too

Cheers, I'll had a look at the council website and they have a section on nuisance vehicles which I think this would come under. I'll give them a call when I'm able and next time they do it I'll note down the details so I can pass them on.

Thanks all