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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Parking one

13 replies

weatherbell · 10/08/2023 20:19

I live in a row of houses with a large sloped green outside. The pedestrian path runs along the houses and is connected to the road at either end but far away in the middle.

Parking in the neighbourhood is DREADFUL. We have two young kids and have to unload them before parking much further away.

Other people have decided to use the green as a parking space. We've tried hard to ignore it even though it churns up the grass causing mud slides and is of course dangerous.

However a new neighbour moved in and asked if I'd mind if he drove his motorbike up and down the path to get to his house. I said I would mind. The following day he proceeded to do it anyway. It would kill any kids stepping out their front garden as he'd never see them coming.

I've called the police and contacted the local council about this. We agreed they would put warning letter through everyone's doors.

However, yesterday a regular parker (mini) drove onto the green when I was playing with my kids out there and just waited until I moved. I threw up my hands with exasperation a few times but moved. He then got out of his car and started hurling abuse at me along the lines of 'be like everyone else around here and keep your effing head down'. He also shouted if I care so much, call the council about the parking. I replied I had but he misunderstood me to mean I called about him which led to another volley of abuse. I was too shocked to correct him.

So what I'm looking for advice on is the best course of action. Should I stop the police from posting letters in case it heightens the dispute? He's not parked on the grass all day - fear of a fine, I assume - but has also been eyeballing my house. He's clearly preeetty nasty.

So not an AIBU (unless you think I am) but please help!

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 10/08/2023 20:23

Surely the green can have posts or something to stop parking on there?

The police posting letters is a cop-out, tell them you want real action, and if they decline, contact the Police and Crime Commissioner. Such as dealing with the man who engaged in threatening words and behaviour.

weatherbell · 10/08/2023 20:26

A map Brew

Parking one
OP posts:
weatherbell · 10/08/2023 21:05

LlynTegid · 10/08/2023 20:23

Surely the green can have posts or something to stop parking on there?

The police posting letters is a cop-out, tell them you want real action, and if they decline, contact the Police and Crime Commissioner. Such as dealing with the man who engaged in threatening words and behaviour.

I guess my worry is that real action would make things worse. But what do you mean by real action?

I should clarify that this is an estate so therefore a low priority area for funding

OP posts:
SmirnoffIceIsNice · 10/08/2023 21:19

I'm surprised there aren't any rocks or bollards on the road side of the green. Every green space in our area has some sort of obstruction to stop travellers setting up site on them.

I'd contact the council again and say you've witnessed people driving vehicles over the green and along the path, and it's a matter of time until a child gets injured. Ask them what action they intend to take to keep local residents safe.

If you've already had contact with the police then worth speaking to them again to report the threats and verbal abuse.

weatherbell · 10/08/2023 22:22

Thanks for replying. So you think persist with council and police despite risk of escalation?

OP posts:
SmirnoffIceIsNice · 12/08/2023 18:21

Yes I'd keep on at the council. It's dangerous for children and animals if people are driving on the green and path. Sometimes you have to make a stand.

xyz111 · 12/08/2023 18:47

That would annoy the hell out of me, it's grass, not a car park!!!! And it messes all the grass up. Do all the other neighbours park there?

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 12/08/2023 18:54

I would definitely keep contacting the police or the council. This is so dangerous!

LovedmyRaleighChopper · 12/08/2023 18:59

I’d be spitting about the inconsiderate idiot who feels he can use the path as a motorbike highway! What on earth is to stop him pushing it along the path at walking pace if he wants to store it in his house? No advice sorry OP, you are surrounded by entitled idiots 😩

DudeItsPrawns · 12/08/2023 19:06

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/town-and-village-greens-how-to-register

Might be worth looking into whether you can get the grass designated as a village green, which might protect it from becoming parking spaces.

Town and village greens: how to register

Information and guidance on registering land as a town or village green.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/town-and-village-greens-how-to-register

weatherbell · 12/08/2023 21:38

DudeItsPrawns · 12/08/2023 19:06

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/town-and-village-greens-how-to-register

Might be worth looking into whether you can get the grass designated as a village green, which might protect it from becoming parking spaces.

This looks so useful. Thank you so much. I will investigate. We contacted the council and they kept refusing to engage by describing it as a verge and kerb. You can see from my diagram it's anything but that!

OP posts:
weatherbell · 12/08/2023 21:42

Thanks for that everyone. There was a small development with the motorcyclist. He asked me if anything was wrong when I didn't smile at him and I explained again that his actions endanger my kids. He moved his motorbike immediately. Then his mum came out and said he had schizophrenia and his bike means EVERYTHING to him. She asked if we could compromise by him walking his bike. I agreed and he has been walking his bike. However we installed as ring camera yesterday and when we were out spotted him riding up and down again. So for whatever reason the message isn't working. Anyway our elderly neighbours/long term residents returned today and saw the bike and immediate said 'that's not staying'. They're very wobbly on foot and it means they have to walk on sloped grass to get to their house. Fingers crossed they also phone the police or council

OP posts:
weatherbell · 12/08/2023 21:44

I'm expecting a call back from the office on the case tomorrow so I think I'll ask him to deal with the motorbike. Not sure what to do about the shouty mini driver as I don't want to escalate. So any advice here appreciated. My son has been super upset about his shouting and clearly feels unsafe. He's 3. My partner thinks we should just ignore.

OP posts:
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