First off, yes, I know they need to park somewhere when delivering/working - that's not what this thread is about.
What really annoys me is when they drive into pedestrianised areas and park on pavements, double yellows, etc., when they're not actually on "work" business. Why are they allowed to get away with it when they're inconveniencing others and increasing risk/danger to other road/pavement users?
Eg, I live and work in a small village. It has a couple of shops, chippie and a bacon bun/pie shop. It's just off a main road. The road through the village where the shops are is very narrow, only a few "proper" parking spaces, most of it is double yellowed, narrow pavements, some parts of the road are single width, in some parts, there isn't even a pavement. However, there are 2 fairly large car parks, one behind the shops and the other for the pre-school/community centre - both easily accessible for delivery and traders vans.
But, mid morning and lunchtime, the road and pavements are virtually blocked by vans whose drivers have gone for a sandwich, bacon bun, pie or chips. They could easily park in either of the car parks, but instead happily block a pavement or park in the narrow road which blocks other vans coming through. If that wasn't bad enough, once they've bought their snack/lunch, they don't move - they stay where they are, eating, for 15-30 minutes, seemingly oblivious to pedestrians having to walk past in the road and other vans struggling to get past.
We have a traffic warden who comes on a moped and he never once says anything to them. He's off his bike like a flash if there's a car on double yellows but is blind to the vans.
The situation is regularly reported to the police and local council via the Village Parish Council, but they don't do anything.
Same happens in town centres. Last weekend, I was walking through a pedestrianised street when a plumbers van came trundling down, edging through crowds and around street furniture such as flower planters, benches, lamp-posts, etc., but all he did was stop outside the Halifax to withdraw some cash and then he drove off again and left the pedestrianised area.
Why do they think they have the right to ignore the restrictions that everyone else has to comply with. If they're not actually "working" at premises, then they should park legally like everyone else.
Rant over.