Car photographed

Rose_Harrison

My husband and I car share to work. For the last two and a half years I've dropped him outside his office and immediately gone on to my work. There used to be "no stopping" signs but last year these were taken away and double yellow lines painted. The whole area is privately owned. This morning I left my husband as usual - literally pulling up, him opening the door and exiting, and me immediately driving off. We have dashcam evidence. Today my husband noticed a warden taking a photo of my car. We were there about 11 seconds! We've looked at the Highway Code which seems to say we are allowed to let passsengers embark or disembark. I'd welcome any advice on what to do if a ticket appears - we have no intention of paying, it seems totally unreasonable.
Thank you in advance

Quentin

Wait and see what happens


If you want to get up to speed on this now then do what everyone is politely asked to do before posting and read up about the game you might be caught up in - the newbies faq thread near the top of the forum

KeithP

Hi and welcome.

If you have used your real name as your forum username you would be well advised to get it changed to something more anonymous.

To do that, read this short extract from The MSE Forum Guide - Frequently Asked Questions & Rules:

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If you fall into this category, email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com and request that it is changed, giving three alternative usernames in order of preference.

fisherjim

Is this actually private land, if so the highway code has no relevance and double yellow lines mean what ever the PPC wants them to mean.


If it is private land there should be signage explaining the parking rules.

pogofish

Good - you are properly forewarned, so after you get your username changed, you won't be giving the PPC concerned any more free shots at you by providing your identity for free and/or any statement of fact to them!

Start by properly reading-up on the Newbies Sticky here - that way you won't make any stupid mistakes because you are fully informed about private parking, timescales etc and aware of the various options to see this off with the least fuss and bother.


In the meantime, see if you can get your husband to have a shufty around to see if there are any signs, take photos of them and find out which PPC is active here - That will help you greatly in your reading-up and deciding what needs to be done next.

Coupon-mad

Drop him off on street, on double yellows/single yellows, in future. That's allowed as long as there are no kerb lips. NEVER trust private car park/roads.

prowla

fisherjim wrote: »

Is this actually private land, if so the highway code has no relevance and double yellow lines mean what ever the PPC wants them to mean.

If it is private land there should be signage explaining the parking rules.

From the HC, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/annex-4-the-road-user-and-the-law

"It is important to note that references to ‘road’ therefore generally include footpaths, bridleways and cycle tracks, and many roadways and driveways on private land (including many car parks). In most cases, the law will apply to them and there may be additional rules for particular paths or ways. Some serious driving offences, including drink-driving offences, also apply to all public places, for example public car parks."

fisherjim

prowla wrote: »

From the HC, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/annex-4-the-road-user-and-the-law

"It is important to note that references to ‘road’ therefore generally include footpaths, bridleways and cycle tracks, and many roadways and driveways on private land (including many car parks). In most cases, the law will apply to them and there may be additional rules for particular paths or ways. Some serious driving offences, including drink-driving offences, also apply to all public places, for example public car parks."

Poppycock the OP is talking about private parking T&C's in particular DYL's which the PPC make up their own rules.


Citing the Highway Code in this instance is a complete red herring and you know it!

molerat

But it would be expected, as a defence in civil court, that a double yellow line on private land has the same meaning as on the public highway without having to consult the exact terms and conditions of the particular location. Anything else would likely be an unfair and unenforceable contract term (as all the parking bullies seem to rely on the contract you entered into by entering their patch).

Umkomaas

But it would be expected, as a defence in civil court, that a double yellow line on private land has the same meaning as on the public highway without having to consult the exact terms and conditions of the particular location.

Second guessing, or fact?

If it does have the same meaning, then the newly painted DYL would probably have a weaker enforcement basis than the former 'No Stopping' sign.

Rover_Driver

prowla wrote: »

From the HC, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/annex-4-the-road-user-and-the-law

"It is important to note that references to ‘road’ therefore generally include footpaths, bridleways and cycle tracks, and many roadways and driveways on private land (including many car parks). In most cases, the law will apply to them and there may be additional rules for particular paths or ways. Some serious driving offences, including drink-driving offences, also apply to all public places, for example public car parks."

The .gov.uk website just gives general advice, often, and as in this case, not that accurate and should never be relied on without reference to the relevant legislation.