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Original poster

A parking one. The rules have been followed.

49 replies

dresseduptothe9s · 07/09/2022 10:21

In need of helpful MN advice. We moved to a new town last week and I can see I'm going to have issues with parking unless I do something. I've just returned from an impromptu 2 mile walk to school because some numpty has parked in front of my drive - again - and is still there, meaning that my plans for the rest of the day are out of the window until they rock up to move the car - could be all day if it's a commuter. 😡

Diagram is attached, because I am an Old and Seasoned Mumsnetter 😉 Hopefully (!) you can see there are several potential places where parked cars could block me in. I'd have thought it was bloody obvious that there is a driveway and access needed for other cars, but apparently not.

Other than the stroppy note I've left on the windscreen, what can I do?

A parking one. The rules have been followed.
OP posts:
SalviaOfficinalis · 07/09/2022 10:30

Has it been the same car both times?

Has your driveway got a wall? Can you put a sign on it saying do not block this driveway etc (although will probably be ignored).

If you’re going to be at home then you might have to ambush the returning driver and tell them that you haven’t been able to take your car out/drive children to school/ go to work etc. Very awkward I know, but will be much more effective than a note.

If you do it persistently then hopefully you’ll get all the regular offenders and they’ll stop.

Can you ask the council for help? Could they put double yellow lines in the corner near your drive if it would block access?

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 07/09/2022 10:33

There's nothing really more you can do really other than watch out the window and pounce on them when they turn up.

So annoying though.

If you have enough time on your hands, you could look online to try and find out who the car is registered to then do a social media stalk to see if you can find them and message them?

Flatandhappy · 07/09/2022 10:36

safetyshop.com sells extra sticky signs that can be put on a windscreen with a variety of "do not park here" messages. Attach them to the windscreen of offenders every time, it should cause them enough hassle not to do it again.

User12398712 · 07/09/2022 10:37

Is it public road or a private parking area? If public road and there is a regular time you are getting blocked, your council should have a parking enforcement section and they may send out a traffic warden if they know where there are issues. You could also speak to your local counciller and request yellow lines to make it clearer.

SamphirethePogoingStickerist · 07/09/2022 10:39

If they have blocked your car in you have legal recourse. Call 101 and ask for help, you have work etc to do...

QuebecBagnet · 07/09/2022 10:39

It looks like chaos. I agree contact the council. With photos of the chaos. They need to either paint parking bays and double yellow line everywhere else. Or make it residents parking only.

Underscore21 · 07/09/2022 10:45

Today, you can't do much except wait it out.
Going forward, you'll have to park there yourself /contact the council about double yellows or other measures.

JauntyJinty · 07/09/2022 10:47

It look slike cars have been blocked in? If so you can have them towed, call 101

Also worth checking with your council as some will ticket cars parked in front of dropped curbs when reported - my council do and I love them for it! I'm surpised more don't it must be such a good money maker!

Original poster
dresseduptothe9s · 07/09/2022 10:50

Ooh, I'll try the council, thank you. It's a bit of a weird no-mans land - big tarmac space beyond the end of the cul de sac. No reason why commuters can't park there, and the station doesn't have parking so I can see why they do (and also it's free!). I've just ordered a 'dont block the driveway' sign which I hope I can fix to the hedge/railings somehow - might have to add arrows to show unobservant pillocks where the driveway is...

OP posts:
Original poster
dresseduptothe9s · 07/09/2022 10:54

It's been different cars every time. The day after we moved in two men in a van pulled up outside and shouted at me "are you going out in the next 20 minutes or so" so they could park across the drive. 🙄

OP posts:
broccolibush · 07/09/2022 10:56

You need a rugby team to pick it up and move it. Tis the only solution I can see. Though they might need to be on call pretty often if its different cars each time.

Geranium1984 · 07/09/2022 10:57

Hopefully the council and your new sign will help!
Could you park your car at the end of the drive by the drop kerb so they can clearly see they're blocking you in?

Is ridiculous blocking a drop kerb but if your car is right there just inside the drive surely they wouldn't. I'd move your car there now so it is inches away from the side of the car blocking you in.

Original poster
dresseduptothe9s · 07/09/2022 11:00

As I was walking home sweatily this morning I did contemplate zip-tying the bumpers of repeat offenders to the railings. Just enough so they'd damage their own cars getting out. I could be on hand to say "kids, eh? It's a dodgy area, I'd not leave my car there if I were you.." etc

OP posts:
CateringForThree · 07/09/2022 11:02

Or you could park in the offending place so no one else can block you anymore.

ifonly4 · 07/09/2022 11:04

OP, don't overlook the extra sticky notes. One placed on front windscreen would be ideal, as it'll annoy the offender for days.

ancientgran · 07/09/2022 11:04

CateringForThree · 07/09/2022 11:02

Or you could park in the offending place so no one else can block you anymore.

Oh God that is such a good idea. The best ideas are often the simplest.

Seeline · 07/09/2022 11:05

Who owns the land on which the cars are parked?
Is it an actual car park sign posted as such?

Do you have a right if way/right of access over the land in your deeds?

I think the only thing that might help is a yellow Criss hatched area painted on the ground protecting your route out with No Parking written within, but that would obviously require the owner's consent/cooperation.

Cyanchicken · 07/09/2022 11:07

Wait til they go and then make sure you are parked in a way to block anyone else from parking there. Prob means you'll need to be parked there up to 9am though but at least you'll have your car the rest of the day.

Alternative is to buy "do not park here" cones but it means you have to move and replace them every time you want to leave

Pinkdelight3 · 07/09/2022 11:19

ancientgran · 07/09/2022 11:04

Oh God that is such a good idea. The best ideas are often the simplest.

Show quote history

That was my thought, but then - at some point she'd have to move her car when she wants to drive somewhere, and then she's demonstrated that it's a legit parking space so harder for the 'don't park here' signs to have any impact.

It's a tricky one, OP, because though your diagram is very detailed (top marks!), it's not super clear that the Bad Car is parking right outside your drive and it's not the usual obvious drive-blocking situation. You're in a really bad spot there with the tree and the Good Car on the other side, and it's conceivable that people just aren't noticing your drive, as opposed to the usual CF scenario of actively parking across a dropped kerb. Hopefully your sign and council will sort it, but I fear this will keep happening so parking on street might have to be your default, sadly as OSP should be a boon.

CannibalQueen · 07/09/2022 11:21

If a car is blocking your car in, you can report it and have it towed by the police. You are allowed to use your own driveway.

Bramshott · 07/09/2022 11:24

That is an exceptional diagram Grin!

isweartoomuch · 07/09/2022 11:31

Egg them

Wheredoestheblackfluffcomefrom · 07/09/2022 11:41

Park blocking your drive tv by g ggg by

Mochudubh · 07/09/2022 11:55

Can we just check that you have a dropped kerb? Not just a "patio with aspirations".

Spudlet · 07/09/2022 11:55

For today I’d call 101 - you can’t just be blocked in all day. What if you had an emergency and needed to get out - a call from the school to collect your dc, or an elderly parent needing help?

For the future, the sign sounds good, and I’d document every time you get blocked in, and report it every time. 101 so you can actually get out, and to the local authority. (Although that van sounds not too bad if they were only going to be 20 minutes, and at least they asked!).

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