To reserve a parking space outside my house with bins - if someone drives into them, am I liable?

[Bingate]

Hi, this is my first post, and I'm well aware that I do not have a right to park outside the front of house, but I am one of a few people in my street who reserves a parking space outside their house with bins.

Generally, this is fine, and most people respect it, but what would happen if someone came round the corner (I am at the end of my street) and drove into them, and it caused damage to their car?

Am I liable for any damage? And if so, why wouldn't this be the case if they drove into my parked car (if it was there instead of the bins)?

Also, is it actually illegal to put my bins on the road in this manner? I can't see anything online about it.

Although I live on a bit of a blind corner where you should really slow down, especially in case children are in the street, but some people drive round the corner like they're practicing for the Indy 500, so I'm still concerned someone might hit the bin.

Thanks.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Yes, blocking a public highway is illegal. Yes you are liable

[sillymillyb]

No idea of the legalities, but it sounds really dangerous if you are worried people will hit them. Why would you risk that? What if someone got hurt?

[hiddenhome]

You should not obstruct the road with bins or anything else.

[grocklebox]

Probably liable. Definitely a plonker.

[WorraLiberty]

Causing an obstruction is illegal

Why do you insist on doing it?

[Bingate]

Laurie - I'm not "blocking a public highway". They're next to the kerb and take up less space than a car.

Grocklebox - so you respond to someone's first post with an insult? Love you too.

[dannydyerismydad]

Round our way bins are a high value item. They go out on bin day and are put away as soon as they are emptied. If they are stolen or damaged because you've left them out, it'll cost you upwards of £60 for a replacement.

Besides, bins out on bin day are an eyesore enough, without them littering the streets 7 days a week.

[26Point2Miles]

Do your bins pay road tax??

[Iggly]

You're blocking a public highway by preventing the use for which it is intended.

Sorry!

[ghostyslovesheep]

YABU

[socially]

Why would you want to put bins in the road?

How odd!

[ArabellaTarantella]

You ARE technically 'blocking the highway' by preventing someone else parking in a legitimate place on a road.

[carlsonrichards]

Yep, you would be liable. What you are doing is illegal, too. Let's hope someone records you doing this and turns you into the council before someone gets hurt.

[sillymillyb]

I don't think grockle was insulting you so much as making a statement of fact.

If you act that way, causing a dive rate road obstruction where people could get hurt, never mind the property, well then you are a plonker aren't you?

Interesting first post by the way

[itiswhatitiswhatitis]

Yes it's illegal and you would be liable for damages. If you must reserve a space why not use a bit of common sense and get some cones that atleast would not cause damage?

[Chippednailvarnish]

What Grockle said thinks this is so ridiculous it's a wind up

[2rebecca]

If you keep the bins in the road all the time you could be reported to the police by a pissed off neighbour for obstructing the road. Keeping something permanently in the road is causing an obstruction unless its a vehicle with an up to date tax disc. If there are more cars than spaces this could happen.

[itiswhatitiswhatitis]

Scroll down a bit

pedestrianliberation.org/the-law-2/

[HowlCapone]

I'm not "blocking a public highway". They're next to the kerb and take up less space than a car.

Yes you are. Can you not tell the difference between bins and a car?

I believe you need a license to put, say, a skip on the road and you have to put lights etc on it.

[WorraLiberty]

I'm not "blocking a public highway". They're next to the kerb and take up less space than a car.

If someone can't park their car because your bins are in their way, of course you are blocking a public highway.

If it were me trying to park there, you'd find your bins shoved halfway down the road.

[TheReluctantCountess]

I wouldn't do it. I would be too worried about getting a mouthful from someone if they did happen to drive into them. Also, what if a child was run over after not being seen because of the bins - I'd never forgive myself.

[grocklebox]

Wasn't a personal insult, it was a statement of fact.

[ThreeQuartersEmpty]

You are intentionally blocking the highway, and you are liable for damages caused by your deliberate obstruction.

[Fairylea]

So are your bins preventing someone else parking there? If so then of course you are blocking the road.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Yes you're blocking the highway unless you meant you were putting them on the pavement

This would mean you'd be blocking a public footpath instead

Not on the highway
Not on the footpath

Got it?