my neighbours (?) keep blocking my driveway

theoretica

I would consider putting signs on the wall at the edge of the driveway - three different cars may mean different drivers and so a note on one car wouldn't do much.

Are there other driveways on the road?  Do they have trouble too or do anything to be more visible?

KxMx

I'm wondering if the house had been empty for a while? 

That happened on my street recently, as soon as the house opposite realised the flat (with allocated parking) was empty they were quick to use the space.
And didn't stop when someone clearly moved in (same car parking there consistently).
The new tenant in the end had to have a polite word before they stopped. 

Jemma01

Soot2006 said:

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 ...

🤣🤣🤣🤣 Bless her little soul. Some people drive you to the edge. I don't have the guts to mess around and find out, I couldn't afford to risk my SC clearance due to criminal charges; I'd lose my career.

ThorOdinson said:

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.

That's what's scaring me, the area is rough I lived here for 6 years on the dot. You'd be walking in peace and a druggie would be screaming their head off at you just because. 

theoretica said:

I would consider putting signs on the wall at the edge of the driveway - three different cars may mean different drivers and so a note on one car wouldn't do much.

Are there other driveways on the road?  Do they have trouble too or do anything to be more visible?

Yes, I'm considering that as well. They're different cars and I think @Brie is right that it must be coming from the nearby facilities (the train station is 30secs away). I'll see if the council agrees to my application to road markings, and if they do + problems continue, I'll put up a sign.
Re: others having trouble, the blue car has a driveway that he doesn't use, I've seen a white van stop there blocking his driveway fully and a third of mine when he wasn't home. (This makes it the 4th vehicle that I forgot to mention!!)

KxMx said:

I'm wondering if the house had been empty for a while? 

That happened on my street recently, as soon as the house opposite realised the flat (with allocated parking) was empty they were quick to use the space.
And didn't stop when someone clearly moved in (same car parking there consistently).
The new tenant in the end had to have a polite word before they stopped. 

No, it wasn't empty, they moved out on the 25th (we were in a chain), I started moving my stuff on the 25th and found the white van mentioned above blocking part of my driveway but I was able to get in and didn't waste my energy on it.

FlorayG

I wonder if those car owners had a dispute with the previous owner and think he is still there and are being petty? Or the previous owner didn't have a car so it was never a problem? Or he had a car that didn't ever move? It's an odd thing to do unless you are doing it deliberately, it's very clear they are blocking someone in

Flugelhorn

I suspect previous owner didn't have a car or they knew him and it had been OK to park there. Hope you get it sorted, very frustrating  

ThisIsWeird

Is there a pattern, Jemma, say the same cars coming back repeatedly, or some being there 8-6 or whatevs?

Have you been noting down the numbers (and makes/models), and durations? Ideally photos too.

It's astonishingly inconsiderate - weird that so many appear to be prepared to block what is an obvious driveway, especially when a car is present on there, and with other road spaces available - very strange.

Is there a connection between them, I wonder?

I'd log them all, if you aren't already doing so.

veronikamoneva

I'm so sorry to hear that! I would be livid, I have also moved recently to the house with a driveway, and am obsessed with any car parking too close to the dropped kerb lol! I assume it's because the house was empty for a while, people started parking in front of it, and it became a habit. Now that you have moved in, literally a few days ago, you might want to remind neighbours to leave you a space. The first thing I'd do is to leave a SUPER POLITE note on the windscreen asking to leave you a space, as you need constant access. Don't be tempted to be bitchy or sarcastic about it, the neighbours will have a feast out of it. Just friendly reminder you have just moved in and would appreciate not parking in front of these gates. If you see someone going into the parked car/going out of it, you can introduce yourself and also ask politely not to park in front of your driveway. The way you handle it will be quite important though, it could be tricky to navigate. but it's just a case of people forming new habits lol

ThisIsWeird

veronikamoneva said:

I'm so sorry to hear that! I would be livid, I have also moved recently to the house with a driveway, and am obsessed with any car parking too close to the dropped kerb lol! I assume it's because the house was empty for a while, people started parking in front of it, and it became a habit. Now that you have moved in, literally a few days ago, you might want to remind neighbours to leave you a space. The first thing I'd do is to leave a SUPER POLITE note on the windscreen asking to leave you a space, as you need constant access. Don't be tempted to be bitchy or sarcastic about it, the neighbours will have a feast out of it. Just friendly reminder you have just moved in and would appreciate not parking in front of these gates. If you see someone going into the parked car/going out of it, you can introduce yourself and also ask politely not to park in front of your driveway. The way you handle it will be quite important though, it could be tricky to navigate. but it's just a case of people forming new habits lol

BiB possibly. But the white car is parked across a clearly used driveway, with the OP's car very obviously present.

I wonder if it's a characteristic of M5 owners...

Herzlos

Are the cars normally parked there during the day or during the evening? Do you see them parked elsewhere?

What does the blue car neighbour say about it?

My suspicion is that he parks on the street and not his driveway because he's sick of being obstructed by people using the train station, and if it's during the day that they are train station users who are running late and abandoning the cars. If it is, then your only real options are to contact the police about being blocked and/or parking across your own driveway.

ian1246

Can you park in front of your own driveway? Stops them parking there & ensures you can get out.