Bad parking

[hporter10]

Just walked up the road and had to walk into the road because a van was parked so far onto the pavement I couldn't get my buggy passed (photo of size of buggy for context). The van was a marked business car including a website and a "driving badly? Here's the contact details" sticker too. It is ALWAYS parked like this . AIBU if I inform them of the issue? I've asked some family and they think I'm being a bit over dramatic because I can just "cross the road"

If you can't get passed with a buggy then a wheelchair user stands no chance, I'd speak to either the driver or the company.

of course you report

You're not being dramatic at all. Just because someone is working in an area, and feels they need to park in the place they're parking in, doesn't mean they can remove the rights of people to actually walk on what the pavement is designated for

Pavement parking may be 'necessary' in some areas (due to narrow Victorian road design meaning you can't get down a road if both sides have parking) but it's not so necessary that a mother can't walk her child without having to walk in the middle of the road

Fully expect to be flamed for this but this is my view 100%

If it was 1 off I'd probably leave it, but as you say they're regulalry doing it I'd report.

Really even as a 1 off it should be reported. I can't tell from you post anything about the road layout or how busy it is. It sounds like you can cross the road easily enough but someone in a wheel chair may not be able to

People should not have to 'easily enough' cross the road (and increase the risk to their child) due to a motorised vehicle being parked illegally.

If someone dumped a skip across a pavement, the authorities would be out swiftly to deal with an obstruction.

Why are cars, with wheels, that can move places and park better, treated any differently?

YANBU. There's a couple near here that do this constantly when there is literally no need. Drives me mad.

Going against the general consensus, but this happens all the time near where we live and I wouldn't dream of complaining. It's not a huge deal to walk around the van with my buggy, assuming traffic isn't bad.

Usually the vans aren't parked like that for very long.

It's obviously annoying but presumably if the drivers had better parking options they wouldn't have to do it.

Given the amount of pavement parking that goes on these days I'd say it depends on the road.
Busy road - definitely report. Quiet residential street with only occasional traffic - suck it up. Unless you happen to know there are mobility scooter/electric wheelchair users or blind people who use the route - in which case I'd absolutely report it.
I used to get rattled about this sort of thing when I had to push DD in her manual wheelchair. One of the offenders was a police inspector! I concluded it was just easier to go on the road as I could manage the kerbs even if they weren't dropped.

Depends. If road is busy, no chance you or person in a wheelchair can pass safely. If it's residential road, I would let it go. Very often it's the choice of leaving space on the road for cars to pass or leave the pavement access and block the road.

Now try going on the road with pram plus 2 under 5s walking, or pushing a wheelchair, or an oversized disability buggy for under 12s while also keeping hold of an under 5. It's not so easy then and I've had do do this in all these scenarios facing on coming traffic 😡 sure you don't find it hard but many do.

I saw someone go out into the road with their buggy, instructing their older child to continue along the pavement. Child got scared not being able to see mum, ran round to join her in the road. Fortunately no accident, but it could have been.

If it's regular, definitely report, especially if there's a number provided.

I have been known to stand with the buggy and wait for the return of the driver (if I know they're probably in one of the local shops) - they usually apologise. On one occasion, when someone was waiting to get along the pavement in a wheelchair, I went and found the driver in the building society. On one occasion, I had a word with a tradesman to explain that there was a toddler group starting nearby shortly and his van was blocking the pavement for buggies - he said he'd previously lost wing mirrors parking on the road, but did see the problem and moved it over far enough for buggies to get through.

The pavement is for pedestrians. That may include people with prams, walking frames, in wheelchairs, mobility scooter users or blind people.
In that basis I would report. It's incredibly selfish.

It’s outrageous when vehicles block the pavement. Prams and wheelchairs need to fit through. I reported a car which was entirely on the pavement, even a six stone pedestrian couldn’t have gotten past without walking in the road.

My brother is blind. He doesn't have a dog but uses a stick. This would cause him huge problems. Yes, he could walk in the road but electric cars which don't make sounds are also a problem - he can't tell if one is coming. If no one is around to ask for help, he's stuck. It's hugely selfish. Pavements are not for cars or vans.

please do. my dd is a wheelchair user and boils my piss that she has to go into the road if we can't squeeze through. I do like to try though ......sad if the car/van gets dinged.....not

You're being unreasonable for posting your buggy instead of a photo of the van!

I find it deeply inconsiderate that people block the whole pavement. It's annoying for me because I have to push the buggy into the road to get past but for wheelchair users it's not always possible to do that.

Our neighbour does this with a HGV everyday from 3pm. You can't walk past on the pavement and you can't see past if you're driving.

No one is interested in taking any action.

I've definitely complain - you could use some of the contents in this when you do.
www.disabledmotoring.org/campaigns/pavement-parking
However, it's PAST and not passed.

This definitely.

It happens in my estate all the time. Sure it helps other drivers but does nothing for pedestrians.

Last time I noticed this was a dad out with a similarly sized buggy and dog on a leash. Except he couldn't cross (busy road) and the car was almost on the entire pavement.

The poor guy had a nightmare trying to squeeze through so I'd say you need to report.

You could start by leaving a note on the van explaining the issue and if the behaviour continues, THEN report. Give the driver one chance to rectify their behaviour. It may be that they just haven't thought about the impact they're having.

Yeah I'd give the number a ring.

Can just be a general "one of your vans keeps blocking the pavement" you don't have to tell them which one if you'd rather not

Then they shouldn't be driving.

A driver is in control of a massive, heavy piece of equipment that can kill people - they should always be aware of their potential impact on others.

Damn right report it.