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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

A parking one!

374 replies

holidaysareoverated · 29/07/2015 10:02

We have put in a new driveway and the council have dropped the kerb outside. However, they have failed to remove the markings that there used to be a parking space there. The markings are a bit of a mess as the old markings are there alongside the guides the council have put there to show where they are moving the parking space to.

A young girl has come along, parked her car, put her headphones in and walked off in the direction of the town centre. I didn't have time to run out and stop her and the headphones meant shouting after her wouldn't have done any good.

Would I be unreasonable to request that the council send a warden out to give her a ticket?

There is no way that she could have missed that she was parking across our drive. It's large and has a big car parked on it. There were 2 parking spaces there and our drive is bang in the middle... she has parked her small Fiesta in the middle too. So right over the dropped kerb with no attempt to leave any room for access. Had it still been a parking space she would be effectively stopping another car from being able to park there. If she had parked at the beginning or end of the bay we could have still got off our driveway.

So What would you do?

OP posts:
LurkingHusband · 29/07/2015 16:21

Maybe ensure you have photographs etc ? Plus any references from the police.

Because I suspect a cab is going to be needed, and the cost reclaimed from the driver who will do everything they possibly can to wriggle out of paying in the small claims court.

rumbelina · 29/07/2015 16:22

Give her absolute hell, I can't imagine how stressed you are.

Original poster
holidaysareoverated · 29/07/2015 16:24

I'm trying to get her towed.... council say it's the police's responsibility.... the police are now saying it's the council... despite previously having said they would do it!

OP posts:
minibmw2010 · 29/07/2015 16:28

All very very annoying for you OP, don't bother taking your note off, let her read it as well as getting a ticket and potentially a tow few. However that doesn't help you now, what is your Plan B?

BitchBags · 29/07/2015 16:35

How annoying op! I would phone them back and let your preggo rage out on them Grin failing that,let the preggo rage out on the girl when she gets back

The5DayChicken · 29/07/2015 16:36

You need to start arranging plan B OP. I know you shouldn't have to get a taxi but it may be the only option. Have the taxi driver give you a receipt. You can present it to the inconsiderate cow if you see her.

SoupDragon · 29/07/2015 16:36

Whereabouts are you? Maybe MN can rustle up some large hairy handed truckers to come and bounce the car out of the way for you.

lunar1 · 29/07/2015 16:38

Do you have neighbours who can block her in so she can't make a quick escape? Because it sounds like at the very least she is going to owe you a taxi fair.

Coconutty · 29/07/2015 16:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MissDemelzaCarne · 29/07/2015 16:40

What a palaver, hope you get it sorted.

Original poster
holidaysareoverated · 29/07/2015 16:41

Spoke to the Police again. They say they definitely don't tow unless absolutely necessary i.e. an emergency as it costs money. I told them I thought the car owner would get the bill and she laughed and said "unfortunately not".

So nobody seems to tow cas... yet how come on Mumsnet I always see threads where this is mentioned!?

I've been advised twice by the police to get out of my driveway if I can, so in not so many words telling me to just drive on the pavement... shocked!

The nursery is open til 6pm if it comes to it. I'm really furious now though, if this girl comes back and I see her she is really in for it!

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 29/07/2015 16:44

Seriously, just call a cab. Think of your blood pressure.

Lj8893 · 29/07/2015 16:44

If you do get your car out, is there anyway you can park it and block her in?

lunar1 · 29/07/2015 16:44

Block her in and go out for the evening if they won't move it.

The5DayChicken · 29/07/2015 16:45

Round here I think it's the council who do it unless it's a car involved in an accident. And the council aren't bloody quick about it either. A car can be there for several weeks before they bother.

Butteredparsnips · 29/07/2015 16:47

Holidays Could the police help you out of your drive - by seeing you back safely and making sure there were no pedestrians?
Sorry for your predicament/

Original poster
holidaysareoverated · 29/07/2015 16:47

I can't block her in and don't really know anybody nearby.

OP posts:
LurkingHusband · 29/07/2015 16:48

I've been advised twice by the police to get out of my driveway if I can, so in not so many words telling me to just drive on the pavement... shocked!

Ask for a policeman to pop round to watch you out.

I'm a little Shock that the police seem to believe the motorist doesn't pay towing changes for an illegally parked car. Of course they do. But then again I really wouldn't trust the polices (assuming it was a policeman, not a PCSO or civilian worker you spoke with) knowledge of law. It's not always accurate (as any photographers will confirm).

SoupDragon · 29/07/2015 16:48

Birmingham Council say they will tow if a car is Parked in a way that obstructs a bus lane, bus stop, suspended parking place or access to or from premises.

So I think it is the council who tow.

carrielou2007 · 29/07/2015 16:50

ShockShockShock at how anyone could be so ignorant to park like that! As you say though, if you are normally at work she may have done this for some time already without you knowing.

LilMissSunshine9 · 29/07/2015 16:52

Whilst its a stupid thing to do is it really worth getting this stressed over it and spending most of the day ranting on the net about it. Just grab a cab no matter how annoying it is that you have to pay for a cab, get your kids and leave a note on her windscreen and hope that by the time you are back the car is there and you can see her when she comes back to get it.

Its silly to expect the police to come out to guide you out of the driveway what a colossal waste of police time cannot even believe people are even suggesting that.

pippop1 · 29/07/2015 16:54

In the note say that you have of course take photographs and a note of her numberplate and that it has been reported to the Police.

Lj8893 · 29/07/2015 16:54

I'm sure the op can get a cab but if it were me, there are some days (particularly towards the end of the month before payday!) where I wouldn't be able to afford a cab!!

oddfodd · 29/07/2015 16:55

I would write the note on paper sticky labels. And stick them firmly to her windows (in such a way that they don't obscure her vision obviously)

LurkingHusband · 29/07/2015 16:56

Its silly to expect the police to come out to guide you out of the driveway what a colossal waste of police time cannot even believe people are even suggesting that.

If it would be illegal, then it's not silly, but precautionary. People have been prosecuted for breaking the law, believing the police advised them to.