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Original poster

Stupid bloody van parking thread

65 replies

SouperNoodle · 10/01/2023 19:58

I need to know if I'm the correct level of annoyed or if I'm too far gone in my crazy van hatred! 😂

Outside our house (on the road), we have the space where I usually park and then a small stretch of road where there are no houses and you can fit 2 cars.
So I park outside, my DH next to it and then a neighbour. All 3 cars fit nicely.

SO THIS VAN... a few months ago, a lady parked this big ugly van awkwardly outside my house and left it for a whole week so only neighbours car would fit in their usual space.
The lady now does this regularly and usually on a Tuesday.
She'll park the van in a really awkward spot so we lose two spaces (if she budged up a few feet we could get an extra one in) and then leaves it for an entire week before collecting it and what's even more annoying, SHE DOESN'T EVEN LIVE ON OUR ROAD!! 🙈🙈🙈

So I have to park way down the road and everyday have to lug my 3 and 4yo's and all their stuff through the rain to get from the car to the house!
(I will include a diagram if you'd like)

So mumsnetters, what do I do?

A. Nothing, she pays Road tax like everyone else and can park where she likes.

B. Leave a note, politely asking her to budge up a bit so I can at least fit my car?

C. Another sensible option which you will add in the comments

D. A passive aggressive, insane option which you will add in the comments

E. Call the police and tell them the van is filled with drugs and get it towed 😂

Thanks in advance 😊

OP posts:
HavfrueDenizKisi · 10/01/2023 20:04

Well you can be annoyed about it but in reality the only answer is option A.

Teatime55 · 10/01/2023 20:05

Can you park in the space to stop her, get a friend to park there?

meltingmyhead · 10/01/2023 20:05

Have you checked it's taxed and has an mot?

Original poster
SouperNoodle · 10/01/2023 20:07

@HavfrueDenizKisi I'm worried this is the case!

@Teatime55 I usually do but she always parks up when I'm on the school run.

@meltingmyhead no I haven't! That's a really good idea thanks

OP posts:
c3pu · 10/01/2023 20:08

Option D - let one of the tyres down every week.

Bonus points if you alternate which tyre gets let down. Top marks will be awarded if you follow a nice pattern.

DosCervezas · 10/01/2023 20:08

Does it have road tax and mot ?

www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax.

www.gov.uk/check-mot-status. If any missing report it.

If ligit it's difficult but you could speak with them and explain how it's putting you out and ask if it's possible they could find elsewhere to park, I would acknowledge that you understand they do have the right to park there, but you are struggling when parking away from your own house.

LoveMyPiano · 10/01/2023 20:08

One point though, the Road Tax argument doesn't hold water any more, although yes, she can use the road, and park on it.

BUT, I am a parking witch/monitor, and would hate it as well. A note would be what I would do, although probably to no avail, and possibly inflaming the situation; people who do this usually don't care that they inconvenience someone else.

(VED - aka Road Tax, is based on the fuel emissions, as you may know).

TeeHeeQuodSheAndClaptTheWindowTo · 10/01/2023 20:08

A. If you want to be able to park outside your house, the only way to guarantee it is to buy a house with a driveway. I’m sorry, because I appreciate it gets to you once you have been used to having that space available to you. But you know you can’t really do anything about it.

Minikievs · 10/01/2023 20:09

You'll get loads of people saying you don't have a right to the road space outside your house, you don't own it, she pays road tax too (presumably) blah blah blah

It would REALLY ANNOY ME TOO

I would leave a passive aggressive note. Because I'm petty. But not sign it. Because I'm a scaredy cat.

Rogue1001MNer · 10/01/2023 20:11

Assuming it's legal, no harm in leaving a note asking her not to take up 2 spaces

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 10/01/2023 20:14

Option A or you could be my neighbour and do option D - and put out bollards in the gap before she comes thus reserving the space for yourself. Bonus points if you then get angry and rant at your neighbours because someone dares move your bollards and parks there regardless.

The note on the van option (B?) might work, so could be considered, but could
back fire and escalate the bad Parker into parking even more twatishly.

Original poster
SouperNoodle · 10/01/2023 20:15

In the spirit of parking threads, here is my diagram.
I used a ruler for your viewing pleasure 😉

Stupid bloody van parking thread
OP posts:
Georgieporgie29 · 10/01/2023 20:16

Could you walk/taxi the school run the next Tuesday and leave your car there so she can’t park? May be a bit too far but I don’t think I could resist.

also, where is she going that she leaves her van there for a week? It’s weird

meltingmyhead · 10/01/2023 20:17

@SouperNoodle excellent diagram!

comfortablylesslumpy · 10/01/2023 20:19

Top diagram!
I would leave a note.
Maybe with a copy of your diagram?
Obvs label it "twattish van", "Big stupid" is way too polite.
And as above, check it has Tax/MOT.

chimichangaz · 10/01/2023 20:22

TeeHeeQuodSheAndClaptTheWindowTo · 10/01/2023 20:08

A. If you want to be able to park outside your house, the only way to guarantee it is to buy a house with a driveway. I’m sorry, because I appreciate it gets to you once you have been used to having that space available to you. But you know you can’t really do anything about it.

As well as a driveway you also need a dropped kerb, as I have discovered......

Original poster
SouperNoodle · 10/01/2023 20:22

@c3pu love it!! Jotting down this idea to use as a backup if polite note doesn't work.

@Georgieporgie29 I could walk for one and get the train for the other. Genuinely would consider doing this to keep from seeing the eyesore that is that bollocking van

I'll get the reg in a little bit to check MOT and tax.

As PP have said, I do worry in the situation escalating but I've got a big gob when I need to so can give as good as I can get 😂

Thanks for the diagram compliments 😉 I did a rough copy before completing the final piece!

OP posts:
Tulipvase · 10/01/2023 20:35

I understand your frustration. We don’t have parking and park in a lay-by opposite along with our 3 neighbours. I fully appreciate that anyone can park in the lay-by but it is so annoying when they then park really badly!

I guess if it’s that regular you could try a polite note (she prob just hasn’t thought about it) but nothing else to be done I don’t think.

Original poster
SouperNoodle · 10/01/2023 21:01

Ok general consensus is to go with the polite note!

How would you word it? 😂 I fear I won't be able to write it without sounding incredibly pissed off

OP posts:
Stressybetty · 10/01/2023 21:46

When does she usually pick it up, if it's the same day and time I'd be tempted to be stood there with arms folded and a frosty glare. Plus note on van

Original poster
SouperNoodle · 10/01/2023 22:03

Stressybetty · 10/01/2023 21:46

When does she usually pick it up, if it's the same day and time I'd be tempted to be stood there with arms folded and a frosty glare. Plus note on van

It's usually a Tuesday that she leaves it and a Monday/Tuesday that she collects it again.
I'm not opposed to leaving thumb tacks all over the road 😏 (whilst standing with a frosty glare)

OP posts:
XanaduKira · 10/01/2023 22:17

I know you don't own the road but this would bug me immensely.

I'd be way more direct and let the tyres down every time. No damage caused but is an inconvenience for them. I'd do all 4 as well, to ensure maximum annoyance.

I wouldn't leave a note or anything like that first as otherwise then you're in the frame for the tyres being let down.

Do it every single time and eventually they'll stop and park elsewhere. It is intriguing though as where does it go when it's moved and where else is it parking?

itsmeagainagain · 10/01/2023 22:20

no advice just popped on to applaud your diagram 👋

StopFeckingFaffing · 10/01/2023 22:28

Option B seems reasonable

UrsulaPandress · 10/01/2023 22:31

This happened near us. A chap who lived down the lane where there is no parking used to leave his large white van on the side Road opposite one of our gates. It used to irrationally annoy me. But it annoyed the people whose house he parked opposite a lot more. I presume it was them who repeatedly did something to his tyres. He asked me once if I knew who it was. I shrugged. He moved on.