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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I being unreasonable? Parking

21 replies

Borelis · 08/12/2018 16:49

Hi,
I live on a road which has resident permit parking bays active throughout the street (which only operates Mon-Fri). I have paid for a yearly permit already and the council has marked out clear bays all along the street where people can park (permit holders only on weekdays and anyone on weekends). Just parked in one of the marked bays on my road today and behind me was another parked car (we are both within the same elongated bay on the road and the entirety of the two cars are within the marked bays).

A lady comes out of her house and asks me to move my car (after I had turned off the engine and got out).. I said why? I'm parked within the bay and even paid for the permit all year around. She said "go and park in the bay over there and gestured towards one nearby. I refused as I'm within a bay I'm allowed to be in.

She said sarcastically "Oh that's fine then, as I've got someone coming and they'll park across my driveway entrance

OP posts:
Original poster
Borelis · 08/12/2018 16:51

Also, I'm definitely NOT blocking her driveway at all (as the council would only mark out bays avoiding the entrance of people's driveways)

OP posts:
Avrannakern · 08/12/2018 16:53

Yes, you had the right to park there but I always think these disputes get ridiculous because everyone refuses to use common decency.

I'd have asked if her visitor had a physical disability which made walking hard. If yes, then I'd move. Even if I was legally allowed to park there. It costs nothing to be courteous since another space was available.

If they had no disability, then it's first come first serve.

Sirzy · 08/12/2018 16:54

You were well within your rights to park there

I would have been tempted to just reverse the car slightly to give enough room she couldn’t block you in

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 08/12/2018 16:55

YANBU sick of people like this- they don’t own the road. I’d tell her to get stuffed, you’re parking legally there’s no further discussion

cheesywotnots · 08/12/2018 16:55

Silly woman, it's not her road, you have don3 nothing wrong. If her friend is daft enough to block you in then just knock on her door and say can they move the car please, some people just love to be queen bee. I didn't think anyone was supposed to park in front of a driveway, has it got a dropped curb?

UhUhUhDennis · 08/12/2018 16:56

Next time just say "you do not own the road i will park here and if I can't get out when I need to I'll come and knock on your door until you move" end of. Cheeky bitch.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 08/12/2018 16:57

Avrannakern I’m all for decency but the neighbour didn’t ask op if she would mind to help her out, she told her to park over there

HeathRobinson · 08/12/2018 16:58

I thought people could get fined for parking over the dropped kerb?

MilkyCuppa · 08/12/2018 17:04

She was pointing out that her visitor intended to park across her drive, thus blocking the bay, therefore you may wish to park elsewhere. I’m guessing the visitor isn’t allowed to park elsewhere because they don’t have a residents permit. Of course her visitor shouldn’t be blocking a bay but that’s another matter!

Anniegetyourgun · 08/12/2018 17:09

You don't get fined for parking over a driveway. The dropped kerbs you can get fined for are the ones for wheelchairs and the like to cross the road. The police may ask you to move if you're stopping someone getting out of their driveway, but if it's the woman's own drive she's not going to be complaining.

Original poster
Borelis · 08/12/2018 18:02

Thank you all for your very helpful and thoughtful replies :)

@MilkyCuppa Maybe but 1) permit doesn't apply during weekends and 2)she could easily get visitor permits (5 visits for £10 or something like that I believe) if they were to stay into the week. Other people should not need to accommodate her just because she wants to save a few quid (IF that's the reason)

@Avrannakern I feel like she might lie if I asked her whether the person visiting had a disability as she was being demanding and arrogant right from the start. Also, I think she'd have probably mentioned it that was the case.

OP posts:
Original poster
Borelis · 08/12/2018 18:03

@OnlyFoolsnMothers Thanks, yes I totally agree :) I'm glad I double checked by asking on here anyway though as I'm such a people pleaser so went against my nature to have a stand against something for once.

OP posts:
AntMoon · 08/12/2018 18:20

Completely within your rights. I'd have gotten scared off and moved car because I'm a total wuss and regretted it so well done!

DGRossetti · 08/12/2018 18:49

I'd have asked if her visitor had a physical disability which made walking hard. If yes, then I'd move

Sadly, people lie. And for some reason, I suspect the lady in question would be more inclined to lie than some others .....

Original poster
Borelis · 10/12/2018 20:39

Update on this: Was having a convo in my car earlier today and she loudly knocks on my front window and asks me to move again and claims this time that the person has a disability - very likely to be a lie as she certainly didn't mention it earlier so under the pressure of it, I reluctantly moved away and parked just opposite now. I feel annoyed that I didn't stand up for myself (back to being a people pleaser) but just couldn't deal with any more of her aggro. Thoughts?

OP posts:
Maelstrop · 10/12/2018 20:45

I'd be watching for her mate arriving and ask to see her blue bade, but I'm an arsey bitch that way.

StoneofDestiny · 10/12/2018 20:54

If it's a marked bay specifically identified for people to park in then is she intent on 'forbidding' anybody from using it? I don't get it - does she have daily visitors with disabilities or is she just the self appointed street controller?

Original poster
Borelis · 10/12/2018 20:55

@Maelstrop Whoever it was right was right there waiting for the spot. That was my first thought too but it was super dark and I wasn't clear on whether the blue badge would only be if the driver is disabled or it would cover passengers disability too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Borelis · 10/12/2018 20:58

@StoneofDestiny Exactly my thoughts. I'm almost certain she was lying about the disability - she must have thought it up over the time (2 days) she had to fester over the issue as she certainly did not mention it that day. Hopefully she'll get others in future parking there - wonder if she'll hound each and every one of them daily as well.

OP posts:
TheTroublesomestTribble · 10/12/2018 21:02

Nobody is allowed to block a dropped kerb AFAIAA - not even the person who owns the driveway in question.

They are there for wheelchair/pushchair access too.

(Not 100% sure of this though!)

Fluffyears · 10/12/2018 21:09

You can get out even if people are parkedeither side. I had to do it when two cars parked in front and behind me with an inch of space either end. It took me ages but I got out by inching forward and back wiry as much lock on as I could.

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