Continued nuisance parking of large white transit van - what can I do?

Shaky_Jake

Over the past few months 'someone' keeps parking a (roughly, this is not my area of expertise) 8ft x 10ft white transit van with ladders attached belonging to what appears to be a roofing company, on the pavement right smack up against my garden gate (which is the only point of access to my home), overnight through the week and 24/7 through the weekend. I have severe mobility issues, making catching this person coming and going impossible (coupled with the fact they don't seem to keep normal 9-5 working hours) and so I have never even seen them, let alone been able to confront them.

To add insult to injury, the street is usually quite empty of traffic and there is even a dedicated car park at the end of the road, so this person has no need whatsoever to park up so close to my gate - it is beginning to seem very deliberate, although I can't for the life of me think why. So even if I do find out who they are, it might not be the wisest course of action to approach them directly. After discussing the situation with another neighbour, they seemed to think the van belongs to the current boyfriend of another neighbour and that their relationship "won't last long". And indeed, three weeks ago, the van suddenly disappeared and I breathed a sigh of relief.

However, tonight the van is back, as inconsiderately parked as ever. The street is as clear as usual and the driver has no excuse for parking it this way - it is plain to see that the gate is the only point of access to my house. Meanwhile, the space in front of the house of the neighbour whose boyfriend this might be is completely clear of vehicles. She has a 'reputation' though and I do not feel able to approach her at all.

I don't know what to do, it feels like I am being indirectly bullied here.

Shaky_Jake

PS: It is definitely a commercial vehicle, so where do I stand legally?

I have considered ringing the number on the van to complain, but if he's a one-man band I don't suppose that will get me very far.

I'm also considering leaving a polite note on the windscreen, but surely he must know it's causing a nuisance already?

comeandgo

My choice would be to call the number on the van.  

Stubod

...as above, have a polite conversation with the owner explaining your access problems and request they park somewhere else, then see what sort of response you get to this. Without knowing, or being able to see the exact nature of the parking it's difficult to determine whether or not you can do anything regarding the legality of the parking.

Grumpy_chap

Does the OP drive?
Can the OP park there first, but also not blocking their gate?

Supersonos

Leave a note on the windscreen asking them not to do it.

lesalanos

Or leave a note on your gate 

neilmcl

Can you show a pic of just how close this van is to your gate?

Parking inconsiderately doesn't necessarily equate to parking illegally and therefore apart from a polite word there may be nothing you could legally do to prevent him parking where he is, if he's parked legally then he has just as much right to park there than anyone else.

AdrianC

Assuming it's a <=3.5t van (which it almost certainly will be), then it's perfectly legal to park it anywhere a car can be parked legally.

Whether parking it there is considerate or not is a completely different question. If you can't/won't approach the driver and/or your neighbour, then there's nothing more that can really be done. Apart from park a car there while the van's not there...

TooManyPoints

Parking inconsiderately doesn't necessarily equate to parking illegally..

It usually does if it's parked on the pavement (depending on local legislation)

cattom

you can buy one of those 'no parking in front of this gate' signs on amazon. screw it to the gate and see if it has any affect.