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Original poster

Parking issues

57 replies

Boogirlgirl · 06/11/2023 19:14

Posted this on property but got no responses.....
Hi recently bought a house on a small estate..houses are about 30 years old.
Issue is, there is a narrow footpath which runs down the side of our house and the small road which leads into the rest of the estate is on other side of path.
People keep parking on the path sometimes completely blocking our gate so we have struggled to get out of our property.
Sometimes vehicles are parked almost bumper to bumper on the full length of the path (wheels on the path) so I have had to literally squeeze between the cars to get to the other side of the road.
Is there anything that can be done am i wrong to be fed up by this as i understand that many will say drivers pay road tax so can park wherever ? The other week a delivery we were expecting couldn't even get the parcel across the footpath because of all the cars parked on it.
It feels like we are living in the middle of a car park.
Feel so frustrated

OP posts:
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LookItsMeAgain · 08/11/2023 13:06

@Boogirlgirl - do you see the way in @EvilElsa 's post there are patches of grass and then concrete which forms the pavement? Does your pavement have any patches of grass? Could you go out and plant some bulbs in the grass for spring time? Then you could put up some border edging like the one in this picture here?
https://www.thespruce.com/inexpensive-garden-edging-ideas-7507070
While you might not own the grassy area outside your property, you're trying to improve it for the betterment of the neighbourhood and it might stop people parking in front of your home.

I'd also consider getting signage saying that 24 hour access was required and no parking is permitted and getting them either nailed in to your wall or gate so that they are easily read.

https://www.thespruce.com/thmb/57ju8u8eX9ZRF10qkwThA6UGG2o=/750x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-172334897-0a9681e2b6724bf7af44932d108c3d4f.jpg

VanillaImpulse · 08/11/2023 11:31

Having boulders on the pavement is taking up less space than a car or van so I'd just go for it. If questioned you can then explain the situation

ItsThatTimeAgainXmas · 08/11/2023 11:27

Boogirlgirl · 06/11/2023 19:59

No straight from path onto road..would I not get into trouble for putting something onto the footpath?

Show quote history

Honestly I'd just do it. At night time. In the dark. With a balaclava on. Then walk the other way and come back to your house later. Be ninja. This is really your only solution.

Singinghollybob · 08/11/2023 11:14

I think the suggestion of buying a moped/old car and parking it outside your gate on the road, is the best idea, and will actually stop other people parking there.

MaggieFS · 08/11/2023 11:04

@BIossomtoes Indeed. I kept my post brief as I didn't think I needed to state that!

Schlurp · 08/11/2023 10:21

I think this is one for local council and try to get them to install a bollard. Try them first and they will tell you who to talk to if it's not them.

BIossomtoes · 08/11/2023 10:11

MaggieFS · 08/11/2023 10:05

It's not a driveway though so that wouldn't work. Probably needs bollards on the pavement.

Show quote history

You’re not allowed to put bollards on the pavement. It’s not your property.

MaggieFS · 08/11/2023 10:05

EvilElsa · 06/11/2023 20:16

Like this. Was a bit of a process getting one though!

It's not a driveway though so that wouldn't work. Probably needs bollards on the pavement.

ElsieMc · 08/11/2023 09:58

This is so unreasonable but it's hard to get people to change their parking habits. Locally, someone actually had a road sign put up saying Parking For Residents. Park Elsewhere. But as others have said upthread, this has no standing legally.

Residents here also had a white line placed outside the entrance to a courtyard but often people just ignore it anyway, sorry to say.

One set of neighbours put out a huge line of cones but they got removed a couple of times and last time I moved them because they were acting as though they owned the whole road. The issue was that they did not realise the impact living by a large residential home would have on parking because they were so happy to have got an older ladies' property very cheaply. This was for good reason.

Laughingravy · 08/11/2023 09:35

Will these cars restricting access onto the estate if they aren't half on the pavement? I'd get in touch with my councillor and discuss putting parking restrictions along that stretch of the road. It's often the only way to get through to the persistently selfish

EvilElsa · 06/11/2023 20:16

Like this. Was a bit of a process getting one though!

Parking issues
Original poster
Boogirlgirl · 06/11/2023 20:14

Medlady · 06/11/2023 20:10

I feel your pain. A friend was in this situation: she couldn’t get her double buggy through the gate and onto the pavement because cars were parking on half of it

Awful..I mean I get why people want to park their cars in the safest place possible but can't get my head round why they would park on a path clearly blocking accesses x

OP posts:
EvilElsa · 06/11/2023 20:13

Access protection lines (APLs) are white 'H' shaped lines intended to prevent persistent obstruction of driveways and entrances to properties by parked vehicles. However, they are: only advisory and have no legal standing.
They MIGHT make people think twice fingers crossed if you can get them. It worked for my friend but your situation actually looks worse than hers!

BIossomtoes · 06/11/2023 20:11

Boogirlgirl · 06/11/2023 19:59

No straight from path onto road..would I not get into trouble for putting something onto the footpath?

Show quote history

Yes you would. Obstructing the pavement is an offence regardless of who does it.

Medlady · 06/11/2023 20:10

I feel your pain. A friend was in this situation: she couldn’t get her double buggy through the gate and onto the pavement because cars were parking on half of it

Cherryana · 06/11/2023 20:09

Can you buy a moped and park it permanently in front of your house or an old banger of a car? Almost like a cone but immovable?

Original poster
Boogirlgirl · 06/11/2023 20:06

EvilElsa · 06/11/2023 20:05

The council MIGHT put a white line over your gate areas -my friend had luck with this after persistent complaints.

What does a white line do?

OP posts:
EvilElsa · 06/11/2023 20:05

The council MIGHT put a white line over your gate areas -my friend had luck with this after persistent complaints.

EvilElsa · 06/11/2023 20:03

Following your updates I'd complain (with photos) to the council -you could also use fix my street. Get the signs up ASAP.

catchmewhenifall · 06/11/2023 20:02

*less obstructive

catchmewhenifall · 06/11/2023 20:01

Hard to picture it but the short term solution is to do something like that as if anyone calls you on it you explain why. It would be more obstructive than cars blocking the pavement!

Second is get the council/police to do 'something'.

LakeTiticaca · 06/11/2023 20:01

Blocking access is an offence. Contact the council and ask them to put up a sign.
Otherwise the Parkers will start finding their cars dented and scratched by residents trying to lawfully enter and exit their properties 😉

Original poster
Boogirlgirl · 06/11/2023 19:59

catchmewhenifall · 06/11/2023 19:56

Is there any grass between the path and the road? I'd get big boulders and just stick them outside where the red dots are. Maybe even two per entrance in line with the gate posts.

No straight from path onto road..would I not get into trouble for putting something onto the footpath?

OP posts:
catchmewhenifall · 06/11/2023 19:56

Is there any grass between the path and the road? I'd get big boulders and just stick them outside where the red dots are. Maybe even two per entrance in line with the gate posts.

Parking issues
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