I'm officially a CFN :-(

[OhPoop]

Oh dear oh dear

I admit this has no AIBU OR YNBU. But I’m feeling really bad....!

Moved to a new area recently (partly because of inconsiderate bordering on twatish parking). I have 2 allocated spaces to the front of my property that belong to me. I live on the corner of a crossroad. On the other road that intersects my road are 2 (what I thought 😬) free for all parking bays- not numbered- any neighbour parking up. Although obviously more convenient for those down that section and with only one allocated spot.

Yesterday due to roadworks in the road I was asked by contractors to move my car- I did so and parked in one of theses bays. I was there for an hour and as soon as the work had finished I moved my car back.

Once parked back up i noticed a note under my wiper. It was polite and asked me not to park there again it’s private etc. Problem is they have also reported me to the parking management for our estate!

It really was an innocent (possibly stupid) mistake. I was there for an hour tops and my own parking had been dug up.

Although I absolutely do realise that if this is a private space I should not have parked there- but it’s unclear. I’m not sure who’s space it is but they would know where my cars are normally parked (bays numbered to house) and knocked on our door rather than leave a note.

If I knew who had left note I would apologise- but also say I really wasn’t aware and that it was only because of the roadworks.

I feel bad, I’d never knowingly do that but now I’m faced with possible £100 fine

No signage, no fine. The laws on signage are relatively strict if they want to issue a charge which is why some car parks appear to have overkill in terms of the number of signs. They have to be a certain size, clarity, visibility (number of them) etc. So, from what info you gave, I'm .
So, from what info you gave, I'm pretty sure you won't be fined.

If the managing agents contact you about it then just apologise and explain you didn't realize the spaces were demised.

If I were your near neighbours in that situation I wouldn't be able to identify what house a car belonged to - I don't clock cars to that extent. Couldn't reliably identify my immediate next door neighbours cars to be honest.

You have done nothing wrong.
I’d have done exactly what you did.

By estate do you mean ordinary housing estate or is it some kind of posh person's country park.

Are you slightly overreacting? Why wouldn't you phone up the parking enforcers and explain what happened?

It's easy to see both sides and you made a genuine mistake but your neighbors entitled to be pissed off, why should they have to go round knocking on doors to find you.

I'm willing to bet that this will be sorted out with an apologetic phone call, no need to lose any sleep over it imo

Don't panic!

On an estate near us there are some un-numbered bays which were created for "visitor parking".
One resident would object if anyone used the bays outside his house (he had a drive and a garage), he just didn't like to look out of his house and see cars there. He was generally a pain of a neighbour, people were relieved when he moved although he was such a CF that it took a long time to sell his house (including you not being allowed to bring children on viewings despite it being a 4 bed family house).
I would talk to parking enforcement and check about the status of those spaces, make sure they waver any fine (which might not be enforceable anyway), and complain about loosing access to your own spaces if they make a fuss.

No diagram

Sandy I agree with you. I think (I know) I’d be just as annoyed. I genuinely didn’t realise I had done anything wrong- first time I’ve parked away from my house. It’s just that the situation was obvious- my own space had been dug up to get to piping/cabling below. I know that still doesn’t give me any right to park in private parking spaces. It was a very brief stop. I moved my car straight back once the contractors had gone to free up space for others. I’m thinking the space probably belongs (if this is true) To the house adjacent to mine- would make sense. My cars very recognisable so if this is the case they probably knew it was me

The estate is a new build area (south coast for anyone who might guess whereabouts) with management company and a separate parking enforcement patrols. It is a well known company and looking online they won’t be sympathetic. I’ve taken photos so now awaiting some unwanted post

I add that the contractors have parked in anyone’s bay all week- including mine- no problem work needs to be carried out.

I’d do nothing. You don’t need to contact the parking company to confirm your neighbour’s allegation. Presumably they took photos of your car parked there, with a time stamp? If not it’s a load of hearsay.