my neighbours (?) keep blocking my driveway

powerful_Rogue

youth_leader said:

Best wishes for a solution to this without confrontation - I hope it isn't a neighbour as it would have to be declared as a 'dispute' if and when you sell.

A friend at work did have to declare when she moved, sadly.  She would get home from work to find the neighbour across her drive, or part way across.  They (she and her husband)  went round and knocked and asked nicely for their drive to be left clear, and were ignored. 

They ended up phoning the police at 3 am in the morning asking for the car to be removed as they were going to the airport for an early flight. 

No it wouldn't, not if the neighbour moves their car.

bluelad1927

If you are blocked in you are within your right to call the police to see if they can trace the owner to move

Bookworm105

bluelad1927 said:

If you are blocked in you are within your right to call the police to see if they can trace the owner to move

 and as per the link already given the police are going to regard you as a time waster and tell you to contact the council as it is now probably the latter's responsibility 

BonaDea

If it were me I'd start parking on the road to block my drive.  Keep that up for 6 months and the people now in the habit of parking there will have to form new habits of parking elsewhere.

Jemma01

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your input, every single one of you.

On the link @Liverpool85 provided, I can see my council is on there, so it would be their responsibility to respond.
I found a link to request the council to have a look at drawing H-bar markings on the road to stop people blocking the driveway (deterrent more than anything else) at my expense, and I'm prepared to do that. It says they'll visit in 10 days, the application/visit costs £58, not sure how much the work would cost.

youth_leader

I'm glad you feel more positive about it.  I agree with you parking across your drive whenever you can, hopefully whoever was choosing to be outside your drive will move elsewhere.

ThorOdinson

I wouldn't recommend putting a note on another car. I've done that before and had abuse. Actually had to make a police report. Same with knocking on doors, there are too many bad people out there.

Parking on the road has insurance issues.

Reporting to the council is probably the best option. A few tickets and they won't know if anyone reported it, although they may suspect.

Section62

Bookworm105 said:

bluelad1927 said:

If you are blocked in you are within your right to call the police to see if they can trace the owner to move

 and as per the link already given the police are going to regard you as a time waster and tell you to contact the council as it is now probably the latter's responsibility 

They shouldn't do.

Firstly, as the link explains, council enforcement of parking adjacent to a dropped kerb only applies where the council has taken on civil enforcement powers.  Some councils haven't - and if you live in an area where the powers haven't been transferred then the police would be the right people to call.

Secondly, obstruction hasn't been decriminalised and remains a police enforcement matter.  The contravention the council would enforce (if they have the powers) is a separate contravention relating to parking where the kerb has been lowered.

The white vehicle in the OP's picture is also obstructing the highway, which is an offence.  So again, a call to the police to report the obstruction would not be out of order - and if they were to start throwing words like "time waster" around then I'd think a complaint about their conduct would be more than justified.  That doesn't necessarily mean the police will come out with blue lights flashing to deal with the driver of the offending car, but neither should people be afraid to report crime to the police (using the appropriate channel) worrying about being considered a time waster.

Soot2006

You sounds more positive and have had lots of good suggestions and support.

Don't do what my friend did and lose your temper. She ended up (after months) forcing her ancient defender "past" the offending car , tore off his bumper and twisted a wheel ...   It wasn't pretty between neighbours after that and I think she only "just" managed to pass it off as an accident rather than the blatant road rage it clearly was.  But to be be fair, he stopped parking there ...

Silvertabby

Not sure of the legality, and would only work with a small car, but when a Service friend (living in private housing) had a similar problem 4 burly squaddies 'bumped' the car into the middle of the road.  It worked.