It's a parking one...

[Cherrypickerpopoff]

Hi, does anyone know anything about rules about parking one of these commercial vehicles on a quiet, residential road? A local guy parks it here when he's not working (from about 3pm). It is huge and gets in the way of people's driveways etc and it's awful to look at outside your windows. Ultimately though, it takes the space of 2 cars. I've just watched an ambulance having to squeeze past it. I know it's a public road but surely this should be kept at a yard or something? He has his own van which he also parks locally.

TIA.

I don’t know the legalities but do wonder as an ambulance had difficulty getting past, that you take photos and write to the council describing that incident (noting tin, location). If the ambulance had difficulty, then a fire truck most certainly would not get through. If this van is also blocking dropped curbs then photos, dates and time should also be reported. I do believe that is against the law.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I will keep a record. You are absolutely right about a fire engine.

I don't expect "ugly" vehicles can be banned from parking somewhere merely for being ugly.

I agree that the blocking of access for emergency vehicles may be the important bit.

What's the picture for?

*of?

Unless the particular residential street has any special restrictions or it’s causing an obstruction then yes it is legal to park a cherry picker there.

Do you live on a new estate? Some of them expressly forbid the parking of large vans in the deeds.

Damn! i was expecting popcorn worthy content with a hand drawn diagram.
You leave me unfulfilled OP.

(Defo write to council avec photos and record of Ambulance incident)

@bunsofanarchy LOL. Sorry to disappoint.

@lljkk you know really that it's not the ugliness that's the real issue here, don't you?

@potatoscone The offending vehicle (an example of the type)

Sorry Cherry. I was stupidly trying to relate the picture to the description!

If the laden weight is heavier than 2500 kg, or if the boom is regarded as a "projecting load", then if it's parked on the road at night it must have its parking lights/sidelights on. As with any vehicle it must not be parked dangerously or causing an unnecessary obstruction. That's about it as far as general laws go. There may be restrictions in your specific area.

It's a taxable benefit if the van is being brought home to a private residence at night rules.

You could ring up HMRC and advise that the van is being kept overnight regularly at a private residence! Would help if the company name was on the side and you happened to know the name and address of the individual who drives it! You may find that it disappears from your street rather than incur a tax charge.

This is also interesting reading vans.

I always thought there were restrictions regarding whether or not you can park commercial vehicles on the road, but can't find much. Highway code rules 242 and 250 are probably the most useful for you though.

Rule 242 is about not causing obstructions.

Rule 250 tells us goods vehicles under 1525kg unladen weight can park on roadsides without displaying a light, therefore if they are heavier than that they must display a light. I have never seen this done! (And considering our Ford Galaxy exceeds this weight I can safely assume those vans are heavy enough to need to display a light.)

So unless there are other rules elsewhere or your council have other rules those are the rules according to The Highway Code.

Interesting about the tax, Spam. Thank you.

I doubt you could do much if an ambulance can get past , slowly or otherwise then I'm not sure who would have it moved.

I would ignore the comment regarding the van being a taxable benefit. Firstly because this only applies to vans under a certain weight, the vehicle would certainly be above this weight. Also simply by bringing a van home does not now automatically make it a taxable benefit so long as it is only used for 'incidental' private use, for example stopping at a shop on the way home to pick up some milk etc.
It could also be the case that his employer insists he brings the vehicle home over night because they require him to go straight to work from home, or that his employer has no secure parking for work vehicles to be parked at their site overnight.
I think I would wont to find out more details before considering the way to approach the subject. There could be little the neighbour can do without his employers consent.