To lock our bollard into place?

[ontheedgeofwhatever]

Someone has parked on our drive for the third time this week - I have no idea who they are as both times they've been there when I come back from the morning school run and gone when I come back from the evening one.

The last owners of our house installed a small bollard that can be pulled up from the ground and padlocked in place. It makes it impossible to get into our out of the drive. I've already left 2 polite notes asking them not to park on our drive. AIBU if I lock the bollard and go out for a few hours?

I would change the note a little bit, and just say you'll be back 'later'. That way they can't nip off for a cup of tea, they'll have to have a nice long boring wait for you!

Well done OP. I find it hard to believe that people think it is okay to do this. Sense of entitlement much?

Oooh, a parking war thread

Shamelessly marking my place.

Yes, I'd take a photo of the note on their windscreen - a close up of the wording and one showing their registration plate. I'd also make sure the note referred to the two previous occasions of trespassing, being clear that this is the third offence (if it's the same car), so there's no doubt about who is being unreasonable here.

If for some reason they completely fail to notice the bollard, not expecting it to be there, and damage it trying to get out, you then have some more evidence with which to call the police.

Hahahaha ontheedge that is brilliant. I would have done the same only I wouldn't have left the 1st 2 polite notes, I'm not as nice as you Well done.

Well done op! Shamefully marking my place to for their return! I won't be home until after 6 either....

Cheeky! Waiting till 6 for update.

I'd put the bollard up and leave a note saying you are going on holiday and you'll see them in 2 weeks

I am agog. You are my parking hero ontheedge.

Good lord, I wouldn't have the nerve to lock them in.

I would certainly be locking them out though, the cheeky fuckers.

Is it worth checking the legal position first somehow?

Brilliant, good luck!

Also shamelessly marking my place as well, good on you OP.

Shamelessly eager for the post 6pm update...

blackpool I advise that you call the clamping company to turn up at school run time, to them it like printing thier own money. (disclaimer I work for a housing provid and tenants/leaseholders are always complaining about this on one estate school run traffic prevented an ambulance getting to an elderly tenant.

oh lor' do NOT do that, as hilarious as it seems now. they're clearly nuts, don't antagonise them. they absolutely know where you live....

do lock them out, though. just don't lock them in.

Cheeky feckers. Neighbours of ours had a similar problem but someone parked on their drive, called a cab to take them to the airport (we live not far from Stansted) and returned 2 weeks later!! House owners blocked the car in and wouldn't move it when car owners returned from holiday. Police where called but because it was on private property it was deemed a civil matter and said there was nothing they could do.

I wouldn't bollard them in them in, l would stop them getting on in the first place.

I think the note should say...

Dear Car Owner,

You clearly think you can just use someone elses drive without permission. This is not the case and so you have forced me to move from polite notes to actual action. I suggest you take this as the signal not to repeat your behaviour. I will release the bollard later today. You have brought this problem on yourself and any retaliation will be taken seriously.

House Owner.

Another vote for locking them out not in. However if you are going to lock them in stay in so you can speak to them and unlock the bollard. Otherwise they might get nasty.

Oh aitch does speak sense.

They clearly have no sense of propriety the stupid wankers.

Wow OP, I wish I had your nerve.

DH and I have a driveway at the side of our house with wooden gates at the front (at the edge of the pavement). I dont park there very often as its narrow because I cant park to save my life and difficult to get DD in and out of, but friends and relatives have parked there when staying and DH parks there if the space at the front of our house is not free.

Despite dropped curb and no parking sign on our gates, people are always blocking it and get quite abusive if I politely ask them to move their car as if I am asking something ridiculous ("you dont own the fucking road do you" is a typical response). I didnt know you could get the police to help.

OP dying to know what happens.

Also marking place.

I would guess that the previous owners had the same problem as they installed the bollard in the first place...

Waiting until six.

Well done!

I had someone block my drive. DH had parked behind the car so I parked in front. Between us we'd left the offender about 5cm of manoeuvring space. He was a student at the local college. He rang his Dad who arrived and frogmarched him up my drive to apologise. Never saw the car again. We have single yellow mines and parking restrictions now.