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 they think their mobility at 80 is an issue worthy of reserving a parking space over all the other residents, they should apply for a blue badge and get a spot put outside their house. Obviously I know anyone with a blue badge could use it, but still…

Once you're 70 you have to renew your licence every 3 years. You have to fill in a form regarding your fitness to drive, including a question about your eyesight. He's obviously lying about this, the form is ridiculous its just a yes or no type of questionnaire. I'd report him again.

I would leave the cones the times it didn’t bother me too much to walk round. If I had a load of shopping or similar I would move the cones for those times.
If I ever spoke to them I would just explain that sometimes I really need the space due to shopping and a toddler but I will leave the space for him when I could.
Its all about give and take in this world and whilst they are cheeky for coning them off, they are elderly so maybe less able to walk far / be more uncomfortable than me.

Why would you have done that rather than just moved the cones and parked near your house?

Coming one space is understandable, maybe not two. Move the cones to one space.
Huge well done for reporting him. Do it again if you still see him driving. It’s my pet peeve older people feeling they should still drive when they can’t fucking see. I think tests over 70 every year, free, is what’s needed. If you can’t pass it you shouldn’t be driving, I get some people live rurally and no pub like transport but if you can’t pass a basic driving test you can’t drive.
Disclaimer I can’t drive, lost licence medically and no public transport but I completely agree with the loss of my licence to protect others.

Nor is being rude to people on the internet.

Move the cones! Each and every time. It's not just about residents being able to park what if an emergency vehicle needed the spot? If he is still able to drive but needs a disabled parking spot he needs to be apply to the council.

Although it does sound as if he shouldn't be driving at all.

Your neighbour is obstructing the public highway by putting out cones which is a criminal offence. It's probably not worth the hassle to get the law involved, but you are well within your rights to move the cones.

Move the cones when you need to and try not to feel bad about it.

Lol. That could only be posted by someone with no experience at all of living where there is only on road parking.

Move the cones. Actually, remove them completely and give them in to local police if they are actual traffic cones - the public, so far as I am aware - aren't allowed to use these. If they are just sports cones, then put them to the side of the pavement.

If they need a disabled space outside their home, they can apply for one.

if he is expecting a window cleaner or delivery whats wrong with that. He is trying to make it easier for them they may not come otherwise. You could do the same?

No you don't! That's 80. My Mum is 78 and never had to do that. Her eyesight & mobility is spot on though, thankfully

Sounds to me like a mobility scooter would be more suitable for this man with such poor eyesight. I know he could bump into people on the path but they are a lot slower and less dangerous to others than a car surely? Depending on the class of scooter, he COULD use it on the road, but max speed is tiny, and no worries about parking it either.

Throw a few leaflets in his door.

If they are old and have a disability they can apply to council for a disabled space to be painted in. I would advise them, rather than report them and move the cones. It can’t be easy for them, it’s important to be helpful x

It’s helpful to other people driving and walking if people behind the wheel of a car are healthy enough to do so.

The people at times are blocking off two spaces. Would be helpful to the rest of the street if they didn’t do this. Blocking off one space occasionally maybe, but two is taking the ducking piss.

MightyOaks. It's 70, I'm 76 and have renewed mine at 70,73 and 76. Other members of my family have as well.

Yup I'd move a cone and suggest they request a disabled space in front of their house to protect it properly. I probably would only move a cone if they've blocked out 2 spaces so they still have one due to their age but it's unreasonable for them to block a second one when parking is in high demand.

It's not nice when these people cause accidents or deaths either.
But no leave him be, he's an old man so he's entitled.

I would steal the cones then they wouldn't be able to use them again 😜

I would throw them cones away somewhere.

I hate that our society has become such that being nice to an elderly neighbour is apparently to be a “doormat” and a “people pleaser”. How selfish and unkind some people have become.

Declining to enable an unsafe driver is much, much nicer than what you're suggesting here. You have your priorities completely arse about face.

Neither is you or a loved one being killed by a blind driver.

Ha! A bloke from our village did that, they moved them, he filled them with concrete.
It didn't end well😊