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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Blocking driveway dilemma.

48 replies

ParkingProblems · 08/10/2018 12:45

Ok so I have a bit of a dilemma regarding someone blocking my driveway. Have NC for this in case it is outing.

I live on a cul-de-sac. There are only four houses on the street and only two have driveways, myself and neighbour 3 (N3). Neighbours 1 and 2 (N1 and N2) have spaces for their cars in the road and N3 doesn't have a car.

Anyway, there is a lady that runs a local mobile business that comes to visit N1 as she is one of her clients. Each time she comes she parks right in front of my driveway. There is space at the top of the cul-de-sac to park but still she blocks my drive. Today is the second time I have returned home to find her in front of my drive and having to park at the top of the road (also blocking N3's driveway, she's not to know they don't have a car). A minor inconvenience yes but I am heavily pregnant with two small children (as she knows because she saw me struggling last time she blocked the drive), and soon to have a newborn too. I hurt myself today having to lug heavy shopping bags from the car as I was unable to park in my own drive.

What I would like to do is send her an email via her business page and politely ask that when visiting N1 she does not block my driveway and instead park at the top of the road where there is plenty of space. But here is the tricky part, she has a blue badge. Now I know this does not entitle her to park wherever she wants but it does make it slightly awkward when asking her not to park somewhere. The top of the road would only be a few extra steps to N1s house so not that bad but I have no idea of her condition. She is also my mum's neighbour which makes it even more awkward.

So AIBU to send the email asking her not to park in front of my drive in future?

I have added customary diagram (sorry it's so shit!)

Blocking driveway dilemma.
OP posts:
Nanasueathome · 08/10/2018 12:48

Why not go round and speak to her and ask her to move her car so that you can get onto your drive?

Annechristmas · 08/10/2018 12:48

I would have parked behind her and knocked on the door and asked her to move it. You need to keep inconveniencing her every time she blocks your drive.

wink1970 · 08/10/2018 12:49

Go talk to the neighbour she is visiting. If that doesn't resolve it then yes I would email her: as you pointed out yourself, her badge does not absolve her of responsibilities.

Nanasueathome · 08/10/2018 12:50

Annechristmas
That’s an even better idea

SassitudeandSparkle · 08/10/2018 12:50

Speak to her at the time, the email is overkill in this situation I think. Annoying but it is only the second time it has happened.

UserName31456789 · 08/10/2018 12:50

I would also have knocked and told her to move her car so you can use your drive way. I would also ask her to hurry as you have kids in the car. Do it again every time.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 08/10/2018 12:51

A blue badge doe not give her a free pass to ark wherever she chooses, she still has to take care not to park dangerously or inconveniently.

However, it isn't illegal to block someone out of their drive, it is to block someone in!

If I were you I'd go round to talk to her at your neighbour's. Tell her that she has blocked you out of your drive, ask her to move her car so you can park your car. Do it every single time she does it! She will soon stop as it will be more inconvenient for her!

If that doesn't work then post on her business page!

sugarbum · 08/10/2018 12:52

I would do what you said. Email/message her and politely request that she parks in an available space and not blocking yours or N3s driveways. You are heavily pregnant with young children and need access at all times (you shouldn't need to mention this as its irrelevant to parking, but I'd say so anyway.)

If you get no positive response, you'll just have to knock on N1s door when shes there and ask her to shift. Like you said, having a blue badge does not excuse entitled behaviour. Or ask N1 to move their car to the top of the cul de sac so she can park in the driveway when she visits.

Original poster
ParkingProblems · 08/10/2018 12:53

See my first instinct was to go and ask her to move but was put off by the blue badge. Didn't want to seem like an arsehole. I will do that next time she blocks me.

Oh, I wouldn't post publicly to her business page, just send her a private message.

OP posts:
howabout · 08/10/2018 12:53

Agree with Annechristmas. You could also get your Mum to have a word with her - sounds like inconsiderate thoughtlessness rather than perceived necessity / entitlement.

PeasAreGreat · 08/10/2018 12:57

nah just because she has a blue badge does not entitle her to park like an arse.

definitely speak to her, or could you speak to the neighbor she is visiting? so the neighbor can let her know for next time she visits?

araiwa · 08/10/2018 12:57

What dilemma?

'Please move your car its blocking my drive'

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 08/10/2018 13:09

Knock on and explain that she's blocking you in and in future could she park elsewhere.

SassitudeandSparkle · 08/10/2018 13:13

Sounds more like your first instinct was to avoid confronting her in person tbh. It would come across much better than an email to her business though.

woolduvet · 08/10/2018 13:14

Surely she could just block n1's car
But yes I'd go knocking every time.

Juells · 08/10/2018 13:17

What's wrong with a big note on her windscreen? Massive one! Run the paper under the tap then slap it on the windscreen so she has a bit of trouble scraping it off.

naivetyisthenewblack · 08/10/2018 13:18

If she needs to park close to the house because of her disability then the neighbour needs to come up with a solution. Possible solutions include the neighbour parking further away, and leaving their space for them - or possibly even the neighbour negotiating with the person who doesn't use their drive that this woman may use it once a week.

Up to them what they do, it's not your responsibility to solve it.

You should have access to your own drive.

ShovingLeopard · 08/10/2018 13:21

I agree the blue badge is a red herring. Just politely but assertively ask her not to block your driveway again.

Original poster
ParkingProblems · 08/10/2018 13:22

Well I'm glad none of you think the blue badge is an issue! Wanted to make sure before I did anything.

Am going to go and knock on at neighbour's now!

OP posts:
Inertia · 08/10/2018 13:24

Could she park so that she blocks in the neighbour she is visiting? They won't need to use their car whilst she is visiting to provide her service.

Being a blue badge holder means that she is allowed to park according to the rules of the system, but they specifically prohibit parking in a way which blocks vehicle access or causes an obstruction on the road.

I think you would be better off going to speak to her in the first instance. Would parking your car behind hers cause an obstruction?

SistersOfPercy · 08/10/2018 13:24

Yep blue badge is of no consequence, she's blocking your drive and your dropped kerb.
Get her to shift it cheeky mare.

naivetyisthenewblack · 08/10/2018 13:25

Good luck, we're all right behind you!!

Let us know how you get on.

BitOutOfPractice · 08/10/2018 13:27

I didn't think a BB allows you to park blocking access though

Schroedingerscatagain · 08/10/2018 13:29

I have a blue badge. It doesn’t entitle me to park selfishly which is what she is doing

Quick word with her and your neighbour, if that doesn’t work consider contacting the authority issuing the blue badge or shame her on her website

ichifanny · 08/10/2018 13:31

Just a simple ‘ Hi there I can’t get into my driveway , could you move thanks ?’ People like his rely on people being too coy to do anything .

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