Blocking access to public highway - by parking in front of THEIR drive

Bettie

custardy wrote: »

What do they do on a street with no drives?

Wheelchair users would either have to bump down or go back to where they got on and try another way. We soon learn which way to go. It's very frustrating knowing there is a dropped kerb and getting there only to find it's blocked. Especially if it's uphill going back!

jrtfan

SillyOne wrote: »

Hi, thanks for all the replies. There isn't a turning area at the end, but there is a small area next to the raised kerb (opposite) which leads to garages but people sometimes park in there too. The garages are for the houses opposite (but they prefer to park outside when they can - the spaces opposite are also taken up with the same neighbours' cars often, as they have 4 or 5 cars regularly parked!)

It is fairly narrow, 2 cars can pass but not loads of extra space on each side.

In effect, then, whoever happens to be the last to park their car - thus blocking the road for you - is also cutting off access to/from the garages of the houses opposite? (Doesn't matter if people are parking in the small access road there or that the householders are choosing to park out front instead.) And the width of the road doesn't allow enough room for anything to squeeze through between the parked cars. Could be a problem if a fire engine or an ambulance was needed in an emergency.

I would think the situation as you've described it definitely warrants a call to your local Council, who would be better placed to advise you if it's a matter for the police as well.

https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q440.htm
This link should take you through to a question about parking across somebody's driveway, the answer isn't conclusive but if you wanted to post your own situation on the site before calling your Council, they might come back to you with some useful advice?

dannyrst

I think a photo would greatly help us understand the situation. Also, what car are you driving when you struggle to get out (a large turning circle will make it harder to get out).

SillyOne

Thanks all - I did think about posting a photo but unfortunately it's identifiable (for the inevitable future "is there a dispute" etc). The drawing isn't 100% accurate in the details but does represent the situation.

In answer to a previous poster - 10m turning circle, it's a small hatchback. I'm very comfortable with squeezing through small spaces etc but won't take too much of a risk.

Often (not always) the car "opposite" and the car "blocking" the road (over the drive) are owned by the same neighbours or their visitors, sometimes it may be one or the other that parked first.

To clarify - it's the person 'last' to park that is committing the offence - even if the people parked opposite are against a raised kerb and the neighbours/their visitors are over the dipped kerb? Although if someone is parked closest to the end of the cul de sac with no one "behind" them, probably still couldn't get past.

Not trying to be awkward at all - just to understand :-)