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Original poster

It’s a parking one…

238 replies

MegsLevante · 27/03/2023 06:01

Builders have blocked off 6 free parking areas on our road with bollards. This is a public road and those spaces are used by the residents because not everyone has a drive.

There has been a derelict house on the road for ages. One of the parking spaces is in front of this house but the other 5 aren’t. The house has been sold recently (no idea who to) and they have builders in. These builders have put bollards (last week) and now traffic lights on to block off these spaces.

They have also left these bollards and traffic lights in place over the weekend when they aren’t doing any work.

Are they allowed to do this on a public road? If they’ve got traffic lights, have they got the council involved, or can anyone put up traffic lights? Who do we complain to?

OP posts:
Cakeorchocolate · 27/03/2023 12:26

Wow you (and your neighbours) seem way too worked up over this.

How the contractors conduct themselves has no bearing on the new neighbours. It doesn't reflect on them at all. They are not responsible for how the gas company go about their work.
They have simply bought a property and probably requested it be connected to mains gas. That will be as much as they've had to do with it. They haven't hand picked a team of people to inconvenience the other local residents as much as possible as you seem to be taking it.

As for the workers blocking parking to enable them to do the job, although it's frustrating it's perfectly reasonable.

If they didn't block the spaces ahead of time they might not be able to get close enough with supplies and equipment to carry out the work. Therefore needing longer permits and closures to do it and just a lot more inconvenient for locals and them.

They could have put notice through local residents letterboxes asking them not to park in the bays due to works needing to be carried out. But as someone who has some knowledge of this (my husbands employer has to do this at times) these are quite often ignored by residents leaving workers unable to complete the works and knocking on doors to try to get vehicles moved, and / or vehicles blocked in while works are carried out.

Pre-judging your new neighbours based on the gas works is ridiculous.

SirChenjins · 27/03/2023 12:29

You know builders don’t have the right to stick cones up to reserve spaces for their own use? If they need that then they have to go through the proper channels - the reputable ones do, anyway.

QuertyGirl · 27/03/2023 12:35

This is an argument about who gets to leave their stuff in the road.

Why does the OP have more rights than the builders?

If the OP is disabled they can ask for a marked disabled space in front of their house.

If not, anybody who needs a guaranteed parking space needs to buy or rent a home with one. Like a drive, maybe?

You shouldn't be allowed to litter the streets with parked cars.

At least the builders have a practical reason.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking
Original poster
MegsLevante · 27/03/2023 12:37

SirChenjins · 27/03/2023 11:22

Perhaps those defending the builders should try starting a thread on AIBU asking if it’s ok for their builders to unilaterally block 6 parking spaces on a public road using cones so their 3 vans can park outside the house they’re working on for weeks/months on end. I’d love to see how that thread goes.

And also blocking with traffic cones at evenings and weekends, when they aren’t actually there doing any work on the property.

OP posts:
Original poster
MegsLevante · 27/03/2023 12:39

QuertyGirl · 27/03/2023 12:35

This is an argument about who gets to leave their stuff in the road.

Why does the OP have more rights than the builders?

If the OP is disabled they can ask for a marked disabled space in front of their house.

If not, anybody who needs a guaranteed parking space needs to buy or rent a home with one. Like a drive, maybe?

You shouldn't be allowed to litter the streets with parked cars.

At least the builders have a practical reason.

So you never, ever park on a road?

OP posts:
SirChenjins · 27/03/2023 12:42

QuertyGirl · 27/03/2023 12:35

This is an argument about who gets to leave their stuff in the road.

Why does the OP have more rights than the builders?

If the OP is disabled they can ask for a marked disabled space in front of their house.

If not, anybody who needs a guaranteed parking space needs to buy or rent a home with one. Like a drive, maybe?

You shouldn't be allowed to litter the streets with parked cars.

At least the builders have a practical reason.

No, it doesn’t work like that. No-one gets to block off spaces on a public road because they have unilaterally decided they need them and therefore no-one else can park there - even when they’re not actually there doing the thing they ‘need’ them for.

If someone ‘needs’ a space they need to apply for the proper permits and the Council gets to decide.

Original poster
MegsLevante · 27/03/2023 12:42

Cakeorchocolate · 27/03/2023 12:26

Wow you (and your neighbours) seem way too worked up over this.

How the contractors conduct themselves has no bearing on the new neighbours. It doesn't reflect on them at all. They are not responsible for how the gas company go about their work.
They have simply bought a property and probably requested it be connected to mains gas. That will be as much as they've had to do with it. They haven't hand picked a team of people to inconvenience the other local residents as much as possible as you seem to be taking it.

As for the workers blocking parking to enable them to do the job, although it's frustrating it's perfectly reasonable.

If they didn't block the spaces ahead of time they might not be able to get close enough with supplies and equipment to carry out the work. Therefore needing longer permits and closures to do it and just a lot more inconvenient for locals and them.

They could have put notice through local residents letterboxes asking them not to park in the bays due to works needing to be carried out. But as someone who has some knowledge of this (my husbands employer has to do this at times) these are quite often ignored by residents leaving workers unable to complete the works and knocking on doors to try to get vehicles moved, and / or vehicles blocked in while works are carried out.

Pre-judging your new neighbours based on the gas works is ridiculous.

Not worked up, just a bit annoyed. So we are going to force them to behave appropriately by reporting them to the relevant authorities.

I will assume that the new owners have the same attitude as many on this thread therefore our only option is to report them.

OP posts:
Hiddenvoice · 27/03/2023 12:44

op It’s a shame this has caused such an upset for you and your neighbours but you do not own the spaces. The builders, the gas engineers, the new neighbours, none of them know about your parking arrangements and are just blocking parking spaces as it’s much easier than they blocking the road, making it far more dangerous for everyone. The new owners may have checked that the spaces are public and may have been informed by estate agents etc that they are entitled to park there as much as you. Yes it’s annoying but it’s temporary. It may take months it may just be a few weeks. If it was your private parking space then you have an argument but sadly I don’t think you do if they are open for anyone to park on.

Original poster
MegsLevante · 27/03/2023 12:45

Hiddenvoice · 27/03/2023 12:44

op It’s a shame this has caused such an upset for you and your neighbours but you do not own the spaces. The builders, the gas engineers, the new neighbours, none of them know about your parking arrangements and are just blocking parking spaces as it’s much easier than they blocking the road, making it far more dangerous for everyone. The new owners may have checked that the spaces are public and may have been informed by estate agents etc that they are entitled to park there as much as you. Yes it’s annoying but it’s temporary. It may take months it may just be a few weeks. If it was your private parking space then you have an argument but sadly I don’t think you do if they are open for anyone to park on.

They aren’t open for everyone to park on when the builders have put down traffic cones to stop anyone else parking there though are they?

OP posts:
QuertyGirl · 27/03/2023 12:45

@SirChenjins

I see no evidence that the OP has applied for the proper permits for exclusive use of public space either.

They should get a home that suited to their needs (with off street parking).

QuertyGirl · 27/03/2023 12:46

Hiddenvoice · 27/03/2023 12:44

op It’s a shame this has caused such an upset for you and your neighbours but you do not own the spaces. The builders, the gas engineers, the new neighbours, none of them know about your parking arrangements and are just blocking parking spaces as it’s much easier than they blocking the road, making it far more dangerous for everyone. The new owners may have checked that the spaces are public and may have been informed by estate agents etc that they are entitled to park there as much as you. Yes it’s annoying but it’s temporary. It may take months it may just be a few weeks. If it was your private parking space then you have an argument but sadly I don’t think you do if they are open for anyone to park on.

This!

It's public space.

Hiddenvoice · 27/03/2023 12:46

Yea but I have previously said, and with others. They have blocked them to use them. Even if they lettered all the residents, you know fine well some people may not move their cars and then access would be denied. This would then prohibit any gas works taking place which could be dangerous. I have no idea who you would report any of these people to if you do not own or have a permit for the spaces.

SirChenjins · 27/03/2023 12:47

QuertyGirl · 27/03/2023 12:45

@SirChenjins

I see no evidence that the OP has applied for the proper permits for exclusive use of public space either.

They should get a home that suited to their needs (with off street parking).

The OP hasn’t said she wants sole, exclusive, permanent use of six spaces. What a silly thing to claim.

QuertyGirl · 27/03/2023 12:48

@SirChenjins

So why are they objecting to someone else using them?

Nobody can use a space one the OP's car is in it either.

Calling me "silly" makes you look like you've run out sensible points to make so are moving on to insults.

Cakeorchocolate · 27/03/2023 12:49

Report them for what? What have they done wrong?

Did the traffic lights go up early?

They're not doing anything wrong blocking public parking bays.

Original poster
MegsLevante · 27/03/2023 12:49

Hiddenvoice · 27/03/2023 12:46

Yea but I have previously said, and with others. They have blocked them to use them. Even if they lettered all the residents, you know fine well some people may not move their cars and then access would be denied. This would then prohibit any gas works taking place which could be dangerous. I have no idea who you would report any of these people to if you do not own or have a permit for the spaces.

I think you’re mixing up the short term gas works with the longer term building works.

OP posts:
loislovesstewie · 27/03/2023 12:51

On the other hand a bit of friendly cooperation doesn't go amiss. Putting up with a bit of annoyance /inconvenience means brownie points for the future. When /if you need similar goodwill no one minds.

Original poster
MegsLevante · 27/03/2023 12:52

loislovesstewie · 27/03/2023 12:51

On the other hand a bit of friendly cooperation doesn't go amiss. Putting up with a bit of annoyance /inconvenience means brownie points for the future. When /if you need similar goodwill no one minds.

Shame you didn’t get chance to speak to the new owners about this before they started the renovation work.

OP posts:
SirChenjins · 27/03/2023 12:54

QuertyGirl · 27/03/2023 12:48

@SirChenjins

So why are they objecting to someone else using them?

Nobody can use a space one the OP's car is in it either.

Calling me "silly" makes you look like you've run out sensible points to make so are moving on to insults.

Have you actually read the whole thread? Anyone who wishes to use the spaces, be they residents or visitors, are entitled to use the spaces at any time when they are free - none of them are entitled to put cones down to ‘reserve’ these spaces when they have vacated these spaces.

What is it you’re not getting here? It’s so simple.

Hiddenvoice · 27/03/2023 12:54

Even long term building works sadly have access to use the spaces if they are open to the public. We live on a building site (well it feels like it) we have no ownership of land across from us which we may like to park on so it is being used by builders etc. it’s annoying at times but it’s not my land and I am Able to park elsewhere. I am all for it as I would rather the place isn’t derelict.
Sorry but it feels like you’re looking for an argument with your new neighbour.
Everyone here has posted reasonably. You don’t need to take anyone’s views or responses into account if you don’t want to but you posted to find out people’s opinions and the vast majority don’t see the issue. If you and your neighbours do then do something about it but as everyone is stating, it’s hard to think what can be done to stop what is happening. Hopefully you and your new neighbours can sort these issues out as it sounds like they are trying to make the house look nice and won’t be intentionally wanting to upset anyone.

Original poster
MegsLevante · 27/03/2023 12:55

Cakeorchocolate · 27/03/2023 12:49

Report them for what? What have they done wrong?

Did the traffic lights go up early?

They're not doing anything wrong blocking public parking bays.

They are blocking off public parking spaces without permission from the council.

Just to be clear, they are on road spaces, if no cars are parked there then they are part of the highway. They shouldn’t be blocked off without council permission (hence Cadent obtaining permission for the work that they are doing).

OP posts:
loislovesstewie · 27/03/2023 12:56

I don't get worked up about people having building works done, having a skip or needing parking spaces on a public road. Life is too short to do that. They aren't parking on a private driveway are they? And as I said, at the end of the day it will be better than looking at a derelict house, and when you need work done they can't complain.

QuertyGirl · 27/03/2023 12:58

@SirChenjins

So, it's the use of cones?

So the builders should leave vehicles in the spaces instead?

Have to admit I've been on sites where we've done exactly that.

Nobody has a right to park in a street just because they live there.

Original poster
MegsLevante · 27/03/2023 12:58

Hiddenvoice · 27/03/2023 12:54

Even long term building works sadly have access to use the spaces if they are open to the public. We live on a building site (well it feels like it) we have no ownership of land across from us which we may like to park on so it is being used by builders etc. it’s annoying at times but it’s not my land and I am Able to park elsewhere. I am all for it as I would rather the place isn’t derelict.
Sorry but it feels like you’re looking for an argument with your new neighbour.
Everyone here has posted reasonably. You don’t need to take anyone’s views or responses into account if you don’t want to but you posted to find out people’s opinions and the vast majority don’t see the issue. If you and your neighbours do then do something about it but as everyone is stating, it’s hard to think what can be done to stop what is happening. Hopefully you and your new neighbours can sort these issues out as it sounds like they are trying to make the house look nice and won’t be intentionally wanting to upset anyone.

They are open to everyone to use for parking. No one has the right to block them off and prevent others from parking there.

If you think it’s reasonable for the builders to block everyone else from parking there (even on days when they aren’t at the property) then surely you’ll agree that it’s reasonable for the residents to block the builders from parking there?

OP posts:
Nolongera · 27/03/2023 13:00

Just move the cones?