Deliberate Blocking Of Road

Lord_Snooty

I and many others regularly use a country lane which is a cul-de-sac, blocked off to cars at one end but which has a through-path for bikes and pedestrians at the end. It is a public road, maintained by the council and you can drive a car to the end to walk the dog or just sit quietly enjoying the view. For the last few years, a farmer, who also runs a museum visitor centre and dance studio there (so not an isolated or unused lane!) has been blocking the road further up than his business premises. Initially he placed gates with no-entry signs on the road. I complained to the council, who made him remove them, likewise the cones he placed there, the caravan and the wheelie bins. Now he keeps placing a digger across the road with the bucket extended to reach from edge to edge. The council state that such obstruction is a police matter but I have reported this to the police on 3 occasions and they do nothing - they dont even ask him to remove the digger. In fact, they seem rather on his side. Now, I am aware that blocking a public highway is illegal and, as it is unlit, this is also dangerous. Cant understand why the police are not taking action - where would we be if we all followed that farmers example? The council have offered to let this farmer adopt the road but he won't - too costly I suppose. Any ideas what to do next?

Strider590

If it's a public right of way, let the ramblers association loose on him, they have extremely deep pockets and a taste for blood for when people do this sort of thing.

System

you can drive a car to the end

He's probably doing it as a reaction to too many people doing this and causing him and his customers access difficulties.

AdrianC

Strider590 wrote: »

If it's a public right of way, let the ramblers association loose on him, they have extremely deep pockets and a taste for blood for when people do this sort of thing.

Doesn't sound like he's blocking pedestrian access, so they won't want to know. If he's only blocking vehicles, then they'll probably give him a medal.

rev_henry

muckybutt wrote: »

Official letter to the Chief Constable or go through their relevant complaints procedure.

You could also lodge a letter to your local MP as well, mentioning that the police aren't enforcing their legal obligations to keep the access clear.

This, and the Police and Crime Commissioner. Would only take one instance of the police towing it for obstruction (and having him pay a hefty non standard recovery fee) to make him think twice.

peter_the_piper

I thought all diggers had the same key?

arcon5

So now members seem to recommend vandalism and arsonists ? Not the first thread this week.

Get real guys and recommend some proper tactics that won't see the op arrested and possibly put in prison

Gloomendoom

Advice I have had (from a policeman) is, if you want the police to do something, you need to keep pestering them. Write, email, phone every day that the obstruction is there.

In theory, you are within your rights to abate an obstruction on a public highway. However, you could end up facing criminal damage charges if you go too far.

christineperseus

Set fire to the toaster and call the fire brigade!!!!

baza52

plant half a dozen smoke bombs outside his house. He will soon move the digger to let the fire brigade in lol.
If you time it right you could follow the fire engine in and park up and enjoy the view

Lord_Snooty

Thanks for all your responses He is blocking the road 'above' his business so he isn't blocking access for his own customers. Also there is a large car park at his business, strictly for his customers. He is only blocking anyone else wanting to use the road. And as for pestering the police, I'll keep doing it but I have already reported these blockings many times over a period of years and he spins them a yarn about how he is keeping travellers out, which isn't actually true. In the the 35 years I have lived here, we have never had travellers in that area (a fact confirmed by the police) and anyway, there is no gateway or access into his fields from the road - travellers don't usually park on public roads as they can get moved on rapidly (perhaps they need to drive more diggers - then the police and council will ignore them for years). I think this has more to do with wanting a private road all to himself but not wanting to pay to adopt it. It is really frustrating and, I thought, dangerous and illegal.