AIBU for parking in front of my house

[CyanSnake]

I live on a street that is relatively quiet, but almost impossible to get parking on, due to the fact that none of the houses at my end have drives. I’m a key worker so still working; and I got lucky on Friday night in that there was a space basically outside my gate, so I parked there. The rest of the street was as full of Parked cars as it normally was at this point.

As I got out the car I noticed the sign in the picture attached to a lamppost about three doors down so went to have a look.

Now; this was the only sign on the street and by the look of it I assumed it was homemade and someone was trying to make sure they had parking space on those three days - maybe they had workmen coming to do essential work; maybe an elderly relative who is in their bubble but can’t walk very far?

The point was, I ignored the sign as I wasn’t parked in front of it, but three doors down.

Sunday morning I get a knock at the door and open it to find an irate workman asking if one of the cars was mine (there were about five still parked along the road) and “if it was could [I] move the car and learn to read.

Turns out the sign was an official one from the council, and applied to the whole street as they were resurfacing it...

I was a bit shocked to be shouted at so I just apologised and moved the car.

Afterward tho, I began to feel like I wasn’t being unreasonable to have ignored the sign, and so I emailed by local councillor to raise the fact that the sign was not very official looking; I explained what happened but focused on the fact the there were other cars still parked and that it was likely to be a recurring problem if this is what they used as signage.

This post was prompted when he replied this morning with “There is a sign in your picture telling you not to park - don’t know what you want me to do.”

Sorry for the essay - AIBU?

I would have ignored it too.

Did you not have a letter from the council or more notice? When our road was resurfaced we knew a long way in advance as otherwise people are a bit stuck! I would expect something more than that sign.

Yanbu, doesn't look official.

I would have ignored that

Me too. What a ridiculous sign!

Me too, surely you have noticed up weeks before, in the local parish newsletter, letters through doors?

That sign is pathetic. Did the council not letter you to inform you of the street closure beforehand?

I can’t speak for anyone else - it may be me being dense, but the only notice I got was that sign.

No letter; we don’t have a parish newsletter.

I wouldn't have thought it official either!

That's a pretty rubbish sign. When this happens in our area the signs are more official and clear on who has posted them.

I think you should go back to the councillor saying that the issue is the signage looked unprofessional & homemade.

In my local authority area it is very clear the signage comes from the council there is a logo on it and I think usually a reference number.-

I would have ignored that too - when we have road resurfacing in my council area there's normally one of those yellow and black signs listing the dates a few weeks in advance. I know a lot of council's go on a spending spree in the jan-march period to spend the last of the year's budget but it's not really an excuse to not give adequate warning. I also imagine you weren't the only one to ignore the sign so also understand why the council work might be a bit miffed if you were the 20th door he's knocked on (adequate signing would've prevented most of this).

I agree that sign looks homemade.

I’d be expecting a sign with a council logo, or a notice nearby about the street being resurfaced.
Last time our road was resurfaced there letters through doors and laminated notices up on lampposts about it in advance.

YANBU. Even if it wasn't made of parcel tape I wouldn't have assumed it meant the whole street!

They put signs up like that where I live but they always send a letter first
You are not a mind reader

Doesn't look official, it looks like they've taken an old sign, taped over it and written new info on. I suppose that's recycling for you though.

When they closed the road for resurfacing we had a letter, and multiple signs a couple of weeks before explaining the resurfacing was due and when. They also moved a load of equipment into the road the night before, so it was obvious it was happening.

If have ignored that sign too, it's not clear where in the road it relates to or why.

Daft sign. We had water works on our street in December, letter a month before and a visit from site foreman the week before explaining what they'd be doing and access etc., so I would have ignored your sign too.

I would have ignored that too.

Your councillor comes across as rude and ignorant too and clearly doesn't give a shit. Aren't there local elections in May? I'd show your displeasure with your vote. Make sure all your local friends are aware too.

I'm speaking as someone whose local councillors are very active in our area and communicate frequently via social media. There is no excuse for being lazy.

Agree that sign does not look official at all. If I was you, I'd reply asking them what their official parking suspension signs look like, as this sign looks nothing like what you would expect from the council. They would also normally say the reason for the suspension. I wouldn't let this one go, but then I am an awkward bugger

That's not an official sign, Someone slipped up and didn't get a proper Streetworks certificate! And that's a BIG oops as it negates all insurances etc!

Someone could be sacked for that!

I'd have ignored that, I'd have expected proper signs well in advance and ideally a letter.

Is the council usually this unprofessional?

There’s no way you could have known this was an official sign - it has none of the trappings of one. Like posters above, when our council are temporarily suspending parking we get official signs on each lamppost and meter, usually with lots of notice, ans often a letter too. Suspension of parking has to be applied for, and so there’s a reference number and telephone number on each sign.

Your council can’t expect to put up a homemade notice and then be rude to you for not knowing it was genuine. What are they playing at?!!

I think I’d be letting the councillor know I expect a minimum standard of professionalism and courtesy for my council tax. What they’re doing is not up to the standard of other councils elsewhere.

I’d now be complaining about two things: the cheapy homemade sign and lack of prior notice about the road being resurfaced (what if you had workmen coming in, or had gone on holiday). And secondly, the rudeness and lack of professionalism from your councillor. I’d also be making a point of voting the little shit out in May.

There's absolutely no way that could be considered a better sign. I could do better with a home printer and laminator!!

As others have said around here we get signs with dates on saying road resurfaced at a minimum these are normally at either end of the road. We might also get a letter detailing the road resurfacing but thr sign would be the absolute minimum notice.