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Original poster

Gather in for real-time parking wars

233 replies

CatHugger · 08/11/2025 12:25

A house down the road is having some work done and the workmen have parked their van blocking the access road to 40-odd garages. I nicely asked them to move it this morning so I could get out, which they did without and hassle. I came back and they were there again! On-street parking is a nightmare and there were no other spaces so I've blocked them in. I'm several houses down and am in now until 2-ish. There is technically another exit but it's a right pain to get to, so they can try doing a 100-point turn if they like...

Diagram to follow.

OP posts:
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5
crackofdoom · 08/11/2025 13:28

Whaleandsnail6 · 08/11/2025 13:07

I actually agree with this.

Is there any where else they could have parked their van?

By their logic, they probably thought it wouldn't be too much of an issue to park there, whilst completing their work since there was another way to access the garages?

Show quote history

They wouldn't have thought anything. Other people don't exist.

SauvignonBlanche · 08/11/2025 13:28

🍿

crackofdoom · 08/11/2025 13:26

Fluffyholeysocks · 08/11/2025 13:11

I'm probably going to get flamed but I do have sympathy for tradesmen when they have no where to park nearby when they are on a job. Some need access to tools and machinery so have no option other than to park as near as possible. In my experience if you ask them nicely they normally move their vans.

Meh. I'm a tradesperson, and if I have to stop on some double yellows with my hazards on for 5 minutes, yeet my ladders into the property, drive off, park 20 minutes away and carry the rest of my stuff back down the hill to avoid inconveniencing people (looking at you Fowey and St Ives 👀) then I'll do so.

Men do this. Tradesmen. Because they're more important than everyone else, clearly. Every time there's a thread about women I the trades on here it's "Ooh ooh, I don't think you can do that, you're not as strong as a man". Well if men are so fucking physically superior they can carry their stuff from the nearest proper parking spot, can't they 🙄.

not even talking about the appalling parking that occurs every time there's an amateur football match on the local playing field. If you're here for exercise why's it so difficult to park your car considerately and walk an extra 50 metres?

Sharptonguedwoman · 08/11/2025 13:25

LizzyEm · 08/11/2025 13:12

If they are right next to it, and are happy to move to let people in and out, there isn't really an issue, is there?

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Of course it is. Why should the residents have to stop and find the builder before they can use the road?

spoonbillstretford · 08/11/2025 13:21

The van men could have parked elsewhere. They have already been told to park elsewhere.

godmum56 · 08/11/2025 13:19

CatHugger · 08/11/2025 13:05

I could but I'm feeling like being an arse about it today. I told them nicely that it's the access road for all the house' garages and they clearly couldn't care less. It's a big renovation and I don't want this going on for weeks so making a point today to nip it in the bud.

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yup I did a hefty foot down when neighbours had their garage rebuilt, builders were thoughtless and neighbour didn't address it.

SALaw · 08/11/2025 13:16

I don’t understand your posts to be honest. They are blocking you in but you parking behind them isn’t blocking people in because there’s another exit so they are fine but you couldn’t use that other exit to go out previously because it adds 10 minutes and damages your car but it’s fine for the neighbours. Is that correct?

LizzyEm · 08/11/2025 13:16

You're a bit of a disgrace OP, and should be ashamed of yourself really. Imo of course.

TheNightingalesStarling · 08/11/2025 13:15

CatHugger · 08/11/2025 13:10

I don't see why I should have to take a 10-minute detour and risk my car getting damaged on a badly-maintained track just to make van man's life easier TBH. There is on-street parking available and he should use it like every other workman does when working on other houses up and down the road.

Bit you are making everyone else have to take that detour now as you are blocking the access?

Bagsintheboot · 08/11/2025 13:14

CatHugger · 08/11/2025 13:10

I don't see why I should have to take a 10-minute detour and risk my car getting damaged on a badly-maintained track just to make van man's life easier TBH. There is on-street parking available and he should use it like every other workman does when working on other houses up and down the road.

Either on street parking is available (in which case they - and you - can easily park where needed) or on street parking is a nightmare with no spaces which is why you've had to block them in.

You've said both. Which is it?

LizzyEm · 08/11/2025 13:14

CatHugger · 08/11/2025 13:10

I don't see why I should have to take a 10-minute detour and risk my car getting damaged on a badly-maintained track just to make van man's life easier TBH. There is on-street parking available and he should use it like every other workman does when working on other houses up and down the road.

They haven't asked you to take a detour, they moved when asked, but you are still being an arsehole, to people just trying to make a living 🤷🏻‍♀️

Laserwho · 08/11/2025 13:13

CatHugger · 08/11/2025 13:10

I don't see why I should have to take a 10-minute detour and risk my car getting damaged on a badly-maintained track just to make van man's life easier TBH. There is on-street parking available and he should use it like every other workman does when working on other houses up and down the road.

On the street parking which is used up by other cars. You said so yourself which is why you are blocking him in. The van needed to go somewhere. Like I said there is another entry point so he's not blocking you in/out.

LizzyEm · 08/11/2025 13:12

Whaleandsnail6 · 08/11/2025 13:07

I actually agree with this.

Is there any where else they could have parked their van?

By their logic, they probably thought it wouldn't be too much of an issue to park there, whilst completing their work since there was another way to access the garages?

Show quote history

If they are right next to it, and are happy to move to let people in and out, there isn't really an issue, is there?

Fluffyholeysocks · 08/11/2025 13:11

I'm probably going to get flamed but I do have sympathy for tradesmen when they have no where to park nearby when they are on a job. Some need access to tools and machinery so have no option other than to park as near as possible. In my experience if you ask them nicely they normally move their vans.

Bagsintheboot · 08/11/2025 13:11

CatHugger · 08/11/2025 13:05

I could but I'm feeling like being an arse about it today. I told them nicely that it's the access road for all the house' garages and they clearly couldn't care less. It's a big renovation and I don't want this going on for weeks so making a point today to nip it in the bud.

Show quote history

I do get where you're coming from and part of me is absolutely loving the car parking wars, but if this is going to go on for weeks is it really worth antagonising the builders and your neighbour who's having the work done?

Surely it would be better to have a conversation with the builders and your neighbour at the same time and make it clear they cannot block the access route at any time. Alternatively you could use the other exits.

chunkyBoo · 08/11/2025 13:11

Thehorticuluralhussie · 08/11/2025 12:50

I’m nursing a broken foot here so definitely up for some wholly inappropriate daytime gin. Can I join in please?

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ooooo I’m in pain with a flare up of my psoriatic disease and fibromyalgia today, can I hobble round to yours with some gin and pain killers please

Original poster
CatHugger · 08/11/2025 13:11

IwishIhadcheese · 08/11/2025 13:09

Are the renovation neighbours not in the street WhatsApp group?

No, it's one we have with our immediate neighbours for putting the bins out, cat sitting etc. (there are many cats, not shown on the diagram though).

OP posts:
Original poster
CatHugger · 08/11/2025 13:10

I don't see why I should have to take a 10-minute detour and risk my car getting damaged on a badly-maintained track just to make van man's life easier TBH. There is on-street parking available and he should use it like every other workman does when working on other houses up and down the road.

OP posts:
IwishIhadcheese · 08/11/2025 13:09

Are the renovation neighbours not in the street WhatsApp group?

LizzyEm · 08/11/2025 13:09

CatHugger · 08/11/2025 13:02

Getting out is ok if annoying but getting in is a nightmare. It's a busy main road so turning round to get to the other entrance means queuing way down the road to the next roundabout, then all the way back up again, a right turn against heavy traffic and a fight with the gate. A PITA basically.

Show quote history

But why couldn't you just leave a note with your door number and move when asked?

Why be an arsehole about it? And rope others in to block the other end?

Pointless arseholio bollocks in my opinion.

Whaleandsnail6 · 08/11/2025 13:07

Laserwho · 08/11/2025 13:04

So they haven't really blocked you in. There is another exit you can use. They also moved when you asked. So why block them in? Use the other entrance/exit.

I actually agree with this.

Is there any where else they could have parked their van?

By their logic, they probably thought it wouldn't be too much of an issue to park there, whilst completing their work since there was another way to access the garages?

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 08/11/2025 13:06

Laserwho · 08/11/2025 13:04

So they haven't really blocked you in. There is another exit you can use. They also moved when you asked. So why block them in? Use the other entrance/exit.

OR the van could be parked somewhere other than in an access road? 🤷🏻‍♀️

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 08/11/2025 13:05

EuclidianGeometryFan · 08/11/2025 13:02

superb diagram!

Show quote history

Agreed.

Original poster
CatHugger · 08/11/2025 13:05

Zempy · 08/11/2025 12:59

The only issue here is that you are blocking all your neighbours access to their garages too.

Edited since x post. So neighbours can access garages? Does that mean you could too? I’m a bit confused.

Edited

I could but I'm feeling like being an arse about it today. I told them nicely that it's the access road for all the house' garages and they clearly couldn't care less. It's a big renovation and I don't want this going on for weeks so making a point today to nip it in the bud.

OP posts:
Laserwho · 08/11/2025 13:04

So they haven't really blocked you in. There is another exit you can use. They also moved when you asked. So why block them in? Use the other entrance/exit.