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

yksi

Supersonos said:

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

This is what I would do.

Dearest Neighbour, it's difficult to get in and out of my front gate with a wheelchair. I know you didn't realise! But please could you be kind enough to park your van six feet forward? It would be really helpful for me. Thank you so much for your kindness and have a great day. Sincerely, the lady in Number 12.

Believe it or not most people in this world aren't jerks and if you show kindness first they'll often reciprocate. Even if you don't have a wheelchair, maybe next week someone is visiting who has one (they won't know).

BOWFER

This is the sort of time I'm grateful for what some people would call overly picky covenants in our title deeds.
No commercial vehicles, no caravans or motorhomes.

user1977

BOWFER said:

Bigphil1474 said:

OP, I wouldn't get a 'no parking' sign as it will probably just wind some people up. If you have your own vehicle and are disabled, then you may be able to get the council to put a disabled bay outside your property. If you don't have your own vehicle, I'd suggest a sign which is more explanatory e.g. please keep access clear. Best course of action IMO is to ring the number on the van and politely explain the situation to whoever answers.

I considered this, but it raises some problems as it's obvious the OP doesn't have their own car.
However, could they feasibly apply for a parking bay using someone else's registration and say they give them lifts everywhere?

I expect the council would want evidence that there's actually a need to park the car there before setting up a disabled bay, rather than it merely being a pick-up spot.

user1977

BOWFER said:

This is the sort of time I'm grateful for what some people would call overly picky covenants in our title deeds.
No commercial vehicles, no caravans or motorhomes.

Those cease being of any use if and when it becomes a public road though.

T1Cybernetic

yksi said:

Supersonos said:

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

This is what I would do.

Dearest Neighbour, it's difficult to get in and out of my front gate with a wheelchair. I know you didn't realise! But please could you be kind enough to park your van six feet forward? It would be really helpful for me. Thank you so much for your kindness and have a great day. Sincerely, the lady in Number 12.

Believe it or not most people in this world aren't jerks and if you show kindness first they'll often reciprocate. Even if you don't have a wheelchair, maybe next week someone is visiting who has one (they won't know).

I agree, Try to be as nice as possible first If that fails then it's open season.

BOWFER

T1Cybernetic said:

I agree, Try to be as nice as possible first If that fails then it's open season.

Oh, I've many examples of going 'open season' on awkward neighbours.....
I'll always try the nice option first, but if they take the mick then it's game ooooon with me. 

TBagpuss

I agree - I would start with a polite note on the van and go from there. 

Maybe also check google / facebook for details of the company - if it is a one man band then contacting them isn't likely to help if a polite note doesn't, but if it isn't, then a call about inconsiderate parking by their liveried van may help, if the original note doesn't.

Are you on good terms with any of the neighbours who do have cars? Could you ask one of them to park by your house for a little while to leave space for you to get in and out of your gate? 

You could also consider a sign on the gate saying something like "Disabled access needed - please don't obstruct the pavement"

Ganga

Wha.t would happen if a wheelchair user going along a pavement scratched a vehicle that was parked with two wheels on the pavement ,i know this is hypothetical  and i am not talking about deliberate damage but possible , i know i once had to back track along a pavement and use the road to get my granddaughters pushchair past some inconsiderate parkers  

pulliptears

BOWFER said:

prowla said:

You could park your own car there.

I once had an issue with a neighbour who kept blocking me in because they decided it was "their" space I was using (which I had been before they moved in); they even propped woodscrews under my tyres at one point (but the police weren't interested); I told them that if they carried on doing it, I would get an old banger and park it there permanently so nobody would be able to use the space...

It's not a bad idea, but it would have to be MOT'd, insured and taxed.
So a bit of a faff.

Not really.  Go for a car of a certain age and you'll only be paying insurance as anything over 40 doesn't need an MOT and will be tax exempt as well.  Classic insurance can also be extremely cheap.