Neighbours putting cones on the road to reserve space

[MandiY]

Is this cheeky? I live on a row of terraced houses. All residents have to pay for permit parking. Neighbours who are around 80 have started putting cones outside their house to reserve their space. They put them over two spaces too, I'm guessing so he has space to manoeuvre in. His wife has been telling me about how his eyesight is deteriorating and he often has to pull over because he can't see properly so not sure he should even be driving, but that's a story for another day! They often put cones out for delivery vans and window cleaners etc, again meaning I can't park. They are elderly but he's quite capable of walking is out and about walking all the time. Often means I can't park outside my own house and have to walk round the block with my 3yo. I know if I parked there then they would then have to do the same, but surely that's just life when it comes to using on street parking? WIBU to have a friendly word?

If you need to park, just move the cones from your bit. If you've got a permit they can stuff off!

I don't understand why you can't each park in front of your own house? Do they put a cone outside your own house?

If he needs to park directly outside his house then he ought to arrange with the council for a disabled parking space (if he qualifies, but that's 1 car space). If the cones are for visitors to his property (delivery or window cleaners) then he's a CF. Surely if its residents only permit they'd get a ticket (unless he also gives them a scratch off permit).
If he has eyesight problems report him to the dvla. We've just had to do this for neighbour who has just been diagnosed with dementia and has lost his spatial awareness - he regularly clips the wing mirrors of cars going down our road!

Definitely report your concerns over his ability to drive - to the DVLA, and possibly his GP if possible?

Is there any chance they are awaiting installation of a disabled bay? If they can show they have been approved or are waiting, I'd be patient with that (the council can take months to do this - 2 years later I'm still awaiting election of a notice to make the one outside my house legal). If not, move the cones and park there.

Potentially mowing someone down with your car because you can't see them is nice?

This

I completely agree with you as I used to have the same problem before I moved. We parked in a bay out front for permit holders but people who didn't live down my road but had a permit would park there and walk into town. It became first come first serve. And sometimes I'd have to park round the back as well. I would deffo have a word with the elderly couple and maybe suggest that he lets the DVLA about his sight deterioration because he could have an accident and they might say his no longer fit for driving. Hope this helps x

I wheeled a wheelie bin off down the street as somebody was reserving a space for themselves earlier this year

The entitlement is incredible

Everybody else has to park where they can but you get God who thinks nothing of reserving a space (on a public street)

We have a neighbour who does this but it's for her visitors. She doesn't even have a car!

I just drive into them and push them out of the way. They're only plastic so don't damage my car but this has left the cones looking somewhat sorry for themselves.

Disabled parking bays usually also need an assessment by social services, this assesses their need to park close to their home. Then, the council's parking team (or similar) will assess on different days and times of the week to see if they are regularly unable to park close to their home - with SS having confirmed their medical need to do so. The parking services team would obviously spot the cones.

PP is correct, these markings aren't for the blue badge holder that lives in the property, anyone who has one can use.

This is the process in my city, I work for highways and manage the team that assess on highway grounds.

i think eye sight has to be really bad before DVLA will be concerned

I would leave them to it. If they are nice neighbour's in every other way, I wouldn't be touching the cones or talking to them about it. Surely there are other spaces on your street that you could put cones in if you really felt inclined?

Why are people going on about disabled parking spaces? He can walk well and therefore doesn’t qualify for a blue badge, which would be the first step. YANBU btw op.

i cant believe people are paying be nice to someone who isn't fit to drive. keep reporting and move the cones

There is no justification for it, so next time, instead of walking backwards and forwards to your car from a far away space carrying a toddler, just move the cones. Then report the cones as flytipping so the council remove them permanently.

I would just move the cones. If he comes asking tell him to stop it. It’s not fair on other residents and you all have the right to park where you want

Cones to reserve a parking space, copyright Carla Lane in the 1980s.

I loved that show!

Totally agree with this. This has actually turned into a really unpleasant thread.

I’d honestly report him to the dvla for his eyesight what if he knocks over a kid or crashes into someone hurting himself or others the parking spot would be least of the things to worry about is also just move the cones .

I haven't read the whole thread, but there was a case in Canada where an elderly man - legally blind - was still driving 15 years after having his driving license revoked.

Court testimony revealed that muliple people knew he shouldn't be driving. Eventually, he killed a young female motorcyclist.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-meaghan-brown-parents-criminal-negligence-driving-1.5310408#:~:text=An%20ophthalmologist%20testified%20that%20Levick%20had%20been%20legally,driving%20and%20he%20warned%20his%20patient%20to%20stop..

Nope, I responded to you. I didn't provide a response to your point. Honestly you look a bit daft here getting all mardy because you've been called out.

It's not nice to have foaling eyesight. Its also not nice to have you or your children run over by an elderly driver, unable to see, who shouldn't be on the road.

Blue badges aren’t just for mobility reasons now, guidance changed a couple of years ago. And blue badges can be for vehicle passengers, doesn’t have to be the driver

What's her mobility like? Is there a chance either of them has a blue badge and are likely to get a disabled bay painted?

I wouldn’t be being a dick (not suggesting you are) and moving the cones and parking there if other spaces are available but I would definitely be moving them if you’re other option is traipsing back and forth with shopping and toddlers!