Shared 'driveway'

Deehills

Hi All,
I own a garage which is in a block with many others. The deeds and plans state that each garage owner owns the freehold of the concrete 'apron' in front of their own garage and that we all agree to let other garage owners pass over our own bit of concrete to get to their garages and we must not obstruct each other. This sounds fair and the garage owners largely honour this.
However, nearby home owners have taken to parking on some of these 'aprons', which obstructs access to some of the garages, due to turning circles involved. Discussion and polite notes have fallen on deaf ears.
What can garage owners do to protect their rights?
  

FinallyStoppedLurking

I presume you mean home owners who don't own a garage?
I'd guess this would be no different to someone parking on your front drive. Unfortunately there is very little protection for this. You could clamp them but there are risks associated with this. The other option would be for everyone to chip in for some kind of electric barrier.

princeofpounds

You can go to court to get injunctive relief for your right of way. That's about it really.

In theory I think there are some types of obstruction in relation to access to the public road that could also apply, but good luck trying to get the council or police to help with that on private land.

greatcrested

Clamping is now regulated. See here.

Dealing with trespass (a car on private land without consent is difficult, time-consuming and costly. You'd have to identify the owner, then apply to court for an injunction to preent that owner parking there again. And do that individually for each trespasser.

If the cars are left there for a period of time, you can ask the council to remove them. Cost will vary by council, and they'll put a warning on the car before doing so.

Realistically, a physical barrier is the best option eg   gate with each garage owner having a key (or remote).

last_mile

I took it as owners who own the garage parking on their aprons, which is restricting the other garage owners of being able to access or exit their garage as the former car is cutting into the turning circle/road access.
is that correct? because in which case these owners aren't going to install bollards etc.

greatcrested

Ah! Maybe.

I took it as the "nearby home owners" were not garage owners, but locals using the area as free parking.

My friend lives in a private Mews in London and frequently has this problem.

OP needs to clarify.

AdrianC

There was a very similar thread but from the opposite angle, just a couple of days ago.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6209911/parking-at-rear-of-house-in-garages