Parking trouble - drop the kerb?

david29dpo

I have just paid £225 for an electric door kit. Easy to fit and works a treat!

PasturesNew

I understood that having a dropped kerb allowed you no rights.
Somebody may block your driveway entirely and if the drive is empty there is no offence.
An offence is committed if you are blocked into your driveway - as they are preventing you from joining the public highway,

I looked into this about 3 months ago when my parents' neighbour had the kerb dropped. He had notices printed out and if anybody parked even 1" past the last full sized kerb he'd be out there sticking a note on their windscreen.
All illegal as those people had every right to park there. It was a double width, double length driveway so people could even block in one car if two were in the driveway, since there was still room to get out (plenty, really).

The only issue with a garage is: nobody can tell IF there is a car in it or not, which would mean they would have to leave the area clear in case there was one.

Always worthwhile having a sign made up "Do not block entrance. On call". I'd leave it non-specific rather than lying and saying "Doctor" or similar.

Not that that will even stop some people.

After all, the people on the road HAVE paid their road fund license, which gives them the right to be there!

lemontart

217: DO NOT park your vehicle or trailer on the road where it would endanger, inconvenience or obstruct pedestrians or other road users. For example, do not stop

• near a school entrance
• anywhere you would prevent access for Emergency Services
• at or near a bus stop or taxi rank
• on the approach to a level crossing
• opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space
• near the brow of a hill or hump bridge
• opposite a traffic island or (if this would cause an obstruction) another parked vehicle
• where you would force other traffic to enter a tram lane
• where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users
• in front of an entrance to a property
• on a bend.

this is what the highway code says basically dont do it but it is not illegal

soappie

PasturesNew wrote: »

I understood that having a dropped kerb allowed you no rights.
Somebody may block your driveway entirely and if the drive is empty there is no offence.
An offence is committed if you are blocked into your driveway - as they are preventing you from joining the public highway

Then the two policemen that have kindly written out tickets for cars for causing an obstruction by preventing me from getting into my driveway obviously did the wrong thing! If you talk nicely enough to them, they'll will and can do it.

tonydee

PasturesNew wrote: »

I understood that having a dropped kerb allowed you no rights.
Somebody may block your driveway entirely and if the drive is empty there is no offence.
An offence is committed if you are blocked into your driveway - as they are preventing you from joining the public highway,

I find this hard to believe. Why on earth would the council charge you between £600 and £1000 to drop a kerb if anyone could park there when the drive was empty?

Can you imagine the dispair of a disabled driver returning from a shopping trip to find his driveway blocked but totally legal !?! Utter rubbish if you ask me.

Horace

Having dealt with Lambeth Council on numerous occasions regarding parking, I feel that I can best answer the question about the blocking of accesses. A traffic warden (nominally known as a parking attendant) can not only issue a ticket but can arrange for your vehicle to be either clamped or towed if it is causing an obstruction. Bear in mind if, like me, you have legally parked in a parking bay which isn't properly marked as such in accordance with the Road Traffic Act 2002 then the person can appeal and get the ticket and/or clamping/towing charge refunded. I am always careful not to block an access or park on a corner or on a red route when I visit London.

twhurl

I have the same problem but with a lamppost halfway across my driveway.
When I wrote to the council they got shirty with me and said "We are monitoring you jumping the kerb to use the other side of your driveway. You will be charged for any damage" and then saying it would cost £1800 to move the lampost and I think more to drop the kerb. Does anyone have any experience with getting a lamppost moved also ?

PasturesNew

tonydee wrote: »

I find this hard to believe. Why on earth would the council charge you between £600 and £1000 to drop a kerb if anyone could park there when the drive was empty?

Can you imagine the dispair of a disabled driver returning from a shopping trip to find his driveway blocked but totally legal !?! Utter rubbish if you ask me.

You see... now you've changed the rules.

Disabled drivers with a dropped kerb into their driveway is a different matter entirely. They can get their access assured.

Dropping the kerb is just something that makes it easier for you to get your car in and out of the driveway. Nothing more.

PasturesNew

Medway Council, offering advice on their website re this:

You can apply to have a white bar marking painted across your driveway. However, you will need to produce a record showing that you have monitored the obstruction to your driveway for a period of 3 months. There is a small charge for this service. Although this bar marking is not enforcable it may dissuade people from parking there.

http://www.medway.gov.uk/print/faqs/faqdetail.htm?qid=357&ref=service&init=T

So, not enforceable, they say there.