Parking on faded double yellow lines

Retired_at_55

Any advice, hopeful of reassurance, very welcome, thanks.  Double yellow lines can still be seen on both sides although very faded in parts.  A relative joined a line of cars also parked on the faded lines on both sides and left her car there for about 15 minutes.  When she returned another person ? probably  lived nearby was taking loads of photographs and pointing to faded double yellow lines and partially blocked dropped kerb.

When asked, he said he was fed up with it 'all'  and Parking Wardens were never there to see this to prevent it.  He said he was getting his daughter to send the photos, with date and time as proof, to The Local Council Paking Department.  Relative (elderly and long time driver but no blue badge) has never had a parking ticket or fine in her life and is  upset and worried as, although double yellow lines were there,  faded in parts, she thought it was OK because so many other cars were also parked there.

Is my relative right to be worried?  She thinks she will be in one of the photograohs with her car and number plate visible.  Thanks.

beamerguy

Last time I heard of this type of thing was on TV where people were parking in a road to avoid the station car park. A resident took pictures for the council.
I seem to remember that the council sent friendly letters asking people not to park.

The David Bailey in your case is not authorised to act as a warden by the council.
A warden would take pictures and issue a paper ticket which is a fine.
Pictures are not a fine so either the council will now send a warden to the road or/and make certain their yellow lines are re-painted 

They might send a warning letter but as no tickets were issued to match pictures, there is little they can do.

Retired_at_55

Thanks, beamerguy.  The area is close to a post office, some local shops and a community hall.  There is a Council pay and display car park but it is small and seems to be full a lot of the time.
The friendly letter would be good and, if that is the worst to happen, my relative  will be OK. 
Hoping for the best.

Half_way

Is this on a public road, or a private road/area?

If its a council road, then for the reasons above not much will come of it as far as the motorist/driver is concerned, there is a very slim chance the council may respond to the person taking the photos by saying they will send a warden down to take a look, and out of that they may do one inspection a year ( or just a one off)

 

If you know the person who took the photos /who that person is you could have some fun with them and tell them that the as the photos clearly show vehicle number plates the photos fall under the data protection laws (GDPR) and as such your relative requires a copy of them

Retired_at_55

Thanks Half-way.  I was more concerned about my relative being worried and upset.  It was on a public road, a cul-de-sac, with faded double yellow lines all round the cul-de-sac extending from the community hall to the main road on both sides - just along from the Post Office and local shops.

In circumstances like this I don't think public roads fall under GDP Regulation (RE:  If you know the person who took the photos /who that person is you could have some fun with them and tell them that the as the photos clearly show vehicle number plates the photos fall under the data protection laws (GDPR) and as such your relative requires a copy of them)  but my old auntie was more worried about getting a parking  fine - for the first time in her many years of careful driving. Although it really has upset her, she knows she should not be parking on double yellow lines and thought it was safe because everyone else was parking there.

 

She is fit enough to drive and has no major medical problems - we are concerned in case things this this knock her confidence.  In her younger years I don't think she would do something just because everyone else was doing it.  Generally she is a very considerate person and she is not the type of person who would park across a dropped kerb.

GeordieGeorge

I doubt anything will come of it, but it’s very impolite to park partially (or fully) across a dropped curb.

Coupon-mad

She hasn't got a parking ticket and she won't get one because:
 
(a) there are strict rules about Local Authorities issuing PCNs by post and this doesn't cut it.  It's not possible for a LA to issue by post like this, based on these photos.

(b) even ignoring the very limited rules about issuing PCNs by post, a person can't get a PCN from a Local Authority, based on photos from a nosy neighbour who has no idea what double yellows actually mean!


OMG here we go again, a resident who thinks double yellows mean no parking/stopping at all.  Double yellows are in fact an invitations to allow stopping for:

(i)  dropping off or picking up a passengers, including (if necessary due to the facts) assisted alighting/boarding to/from adjacent premises (such as taking a child to the school gate, or a frail/disabled person to their front door).

(ii)  loading and unloading to adjacent premises, including picking up pre-ordered items or even taking a pre-paid parcel into the post office (not shopping/paying for things)

(iii)  disabled people to park for three hours!

Johnersh

The lines need to be continuous and end with a T-bar. Technically, they might be unenforceable. In which case David Bailey's beef is with the relevant authority that marks up and maintains the roads, not the driver (and possibly not the local council). 

Retired_at_55

Thanks Coupon-mad.      The Highway Code itself is not a legal document* and the rules outlined in it are not official road laws.

"Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time, unless there are signs that specifically indicate seasonal restrictions."  ... "*But that doesn't mean you can't be fined if you break one of the 307 regulations set out in the Government-issued book - Traffic Wardens can issue Parking Fine Notices".

We have not looked at a hard copy of The Highway Code for many years - until now. It all sounds so complicated but, personally, I would not like to park on double yellow lines and think there were no consequences.  Our old auntie does not deserve this stress - although she understands that she should not have parked on the double yellow lines.

Coupon-mad

I wasn't talking about the Highway code, which has nothing to do with it.  The exemptions are specific to DYL. under LA Traffic Orders.

personally, I would not like to park on double yellow lines and think there were no consequences

That's what a lot of people think.  Wrong.  Especially Blue Badge Holders (up to 3hrs parking is of course, positively allowed!) but certainly also for loading/unloading.(at least 5 mins observation needed by a CEO - there are no traffic wardens these days - up to 20 minutes loading/unloading is allowed if evidenced). 

Of course she could stop there.  DYL are not a red route.  The resident needs to stop curtain twitching.

Unless this is private land where a cowboy ex-clamper firm infests the place, she cannot get a PCN by post here.

Half_way

To help us to put minds at ease, a location ie goolge maps will be of help.

 You can sometimes telll if a road/ etc is private/not council due to little things such as differences in the road surface kerb stones pavements etc and road markings.

DYLs do allow for stopping to unload/load etc ( including passengers) , something that a lot of people including private parking companies when trying to ape council/real road markings do not understand.

 one key thing is if the DYLS are also accompanied by side markings, such as short yellow lines on the kerb, or before the verge at 90 degrees to the main DYLs these either indicate no stopping/loading at all for double side lines or restrictions ( ie times) in place with single side lines.

Again a google maps/streetview would be of use but essentially there should be nothing to worry about