Page 4 | Driveway access blocked

Bluebirthdaycard · 2023-10-28T10:18:51+00:00

Had a certain phone company here this morning I assume to connect faster broadband for next door. The problem is all the cable installation part of it is under a drain cover at the end of our drive, so cover is lifted off, red barrier put round and unable to get car off our own drive. Apparently the connection? for many houses in the close now under here, so assuming this is going to be a common occurrence. My point is this is the second time this has happened now, is it too much to ask for the engineer to knock and ask if we needed to go out and use the car before starting this work? I just think a little common decency wouldn't go a miss or is it just me?

Bluevelvetsofa · 28/10/2023 14:10

I don’t think the point is whether the OP wanted to go out or not, it’s that it’s discourteous at the very least to obstruct a driveway, without simply knocking on the door and explaining what was happening.

AGovernmentOfLawsAndNotMen · 28/10/2023 14:11

If you need to go out tell the engineer.
He should move straight away.
If he doesn’t report him to the company.
You should have been warned a minimum of 2 weeks in advance, unless it’s an emergency and even then before he blocked access.

gotomomo · 28/10/2023 14:25

When mine was fitted it took about 45 minutes. The driver could have moved if needed too

GasPanic · 28/10/2023 14:32

I had this. From a large well known telecoms company too.

I suspect it is so easy for them to move in a couple of minutes that they just don't bother with the angst of letting people know in case someone kicks off.

9 times out of 10 they are probably in there and done before anyone even notices.

SmudgeButt · 28/10/2023 14:40

We've had similar happen a couple of times by BT without warning or a knock on the door. Usually it's because the chap (always) knows he's only going to be a couple of minutes.

The one time it was more problematic was when the council decided to replace the hydro pole in front of our house. Big truck blocking the driveway while they took an hour to unload the pole which was left blocking the path and part of our drive and the drive to the bungalows behind us. I was able to get out in my car but fortunately OH didn't need to move his monster truck and the elderlies in the bungalows didn't need an ambulance or food delivery (one or the other happens most days).

The next day the pole installers (!) showed up in multiple vehicles pretty much blocking the street but amazingly got the whole thing in place within about 30 minutes. Granted they left the hedging they had to remove blocking the path again. I just went out and dumped it by the pole where it still remains a couple of months later. And the pole has never had the light installed again. Which is fine by me but of course might happen when I am in a hurry to leave.....

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 28/10/2023 14:42

YANBU. They don't know if you're going out if they don't ask; if they don't tell you, you can't make plans if you are going to go out.

UdderlyPumpkin · 28/10/2023 14:45

I had this once with gas works and the workers fucked off - I couldn’t get to work that day (25 miles away, no public transport options). It was a normal week day, they could have knocked and I could have moved my car. I’m with you op!

Livelovebehappy · 28/10/2023 14:47

We had this last month with the Gas company. Dug a hole at the end of our drive and put barriers round it. I rang the company and demanded they removed the barriers immediately. They came and took away the barriers and put a ramp there, but I shouldnt have had to ask them. They should have done this anyway. If they’re still there, approach them and tell them not to block your drive and sort it immediately.

RedRiverShore4 · 28/10/2023 14:52

They should have knocked the door and checked, then if OP had wanted to go out she could have moved her car beforehand.

As for the diagram a poster had asked for one which OP provided so why was she shouted at for providing one, some posters are so ignorant.

rwalker · 28/10/2023 14:56

AGovernmentOfLawsAndNotMen · 28/10/2023 14:11

If you need to go out tell the engineer.
He should move straight away.
If he doesn’t report him to the company.
You should have been warned a minimum of 2 weeks in advance, unless it’s an emergency and even then before he blocked access.

I work for openreach and you don’t need 2 weeks notice to go in a footway box

this is why we don’t knock on doors first because everyone is an expert on what u are doing

AGovernmentOfLawsAndNotMen · 28/10/2023 15:00

rwalker · 28/10/2023 14:56

I work for openreach and you don’t need 2 weeks notice to go in a footway box

this is why we don’t knock on doors first because everyone is an expert on what u are doing

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We were told by our solicitors that if blocking access reasonable notice needs to be given and that 2 weeks is accepted as a reasonable notice period.
Unless it’s an emergency.

BetterWithPockets · 28/10/2023 15:04

Bluebirthdaycard · 28/10/2023 12:37

Here you go, the first drain cover.

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OP, this photo made me laugh (sorry) because I’m reading MN on my phone and it literally just showed tarmac — until I clicked on it and saw there was more to the picture.
I’d be annoyed too, tbh, but my DH is much more laid back than I am, so unless he/we/I were meant to be going out, it wouldn’t bother him. I do often wish I were more zen though!

rwalker · 28/10/2023 15:10

AGovernmentOfLawsAndNotMen · 28/10/2023 15:00

We were told by our solicitors that if blocking access reasonable notice needs to be given and that 2 weeks is accepted as a reasonable notice period.
Unless it’s an emergency.

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Tbf it’s a minefield but under road works guarding there different rules for utilities and depends what there doing were planned or maintenance and if it’s deemed an emergency
Also depends if traffic management /traffic sensitive and if there breaking ground or accessing existing structure
but short term as in can be quickly packed away to an existing structure with no traffic management wouldn’t be a problem

Original poster

Bluebirthdaycard · 28/10/2023 15:10

RedRiverShore4 · 28/10/2023 14:52

They should have knocked the door and checked, then if OP had wanted to go out she could have moved her car beforehand.

As for the diagram a poster had asked for one which OP provided so why was she shouted at for providing one, some posters are so ignorant.

Thank you. I put the pic on as a poster asked for a diagram. As I'm not tech savvy, I thought it would be easier just to take a photo, then I got jumped on because there was nothing there but my op was in the past tense. I never stated they were still there. They were there this morning about 9 and by the time I'd posted they were gone. Also my op wasn't about what work they were doing or how long they'd be, it was about not having the good grace to knock and ask if I needed the car before starting. I think some posters just love a good dig over something that has no bearing on their lives whatsoever. 🤷🏼

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Original poster

Bluebirthdaycard · 28/10/2023 15:13

BetterWithPockets · 28/10/2023 15:04

OP, this photo made me laugh (sorry) because I’m reading MN on my phone and it literally just showed tarmac — until I clicked on it and saw there was more to the picture.
I’d be annoyed too, tbh, but my DH is much more laid back than I am, so unless he/we/I were meant to be going out, it wouldn’t bother him. I do often wish I were more zen though!

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I noticed that too!🙈 The problem is if dp had seen it he would've gone mad too, luckily he didn't!🤣

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tiggergoesbounce · 28/10/2023 15:19

They probably didn't feel the need to knock on and say anything as they knew it was a quick job and could see if the OP needed to leave. It was also probably not a big job to bridge the gap if necessary for OP to get out.

Why you wouldn't just talk to the work force on site baffles me.

Fairyliz · 28/10/2023 15:31

Saucery · 28/10/2023 12:52

They probably just thought you’d ask if you needed to go out. We always ask how long they’ll be there if we need to go out that day and they are always polite and helpful, I don’t see why ‘your’ workmen would be any different?
I’d ask if there’s a next time.

Blimey different to the workmen around my way.
They wouldn’t bother to knock but if you ask them to move would sigh and groan and roll their eyes then take about 10 minutes to move. They like to exercise their power over little women who are probably only popping out shopping.

WombatChocolate · 28/10/2023 15:32

Quite simply, life’s easier if you’re more relaxed and expect the best of people and not the worst.

Lots on here say they would have seen what OP did and either popped out to check how long they would be there OR if they’d needed to go out, gone and asked them if they’d move. They wouldn’t have seen this an a massive affront and been outraged that they hadn’t had a letter or a personal knock on the door in advance of them starting work.

But instead, it’s possible to be annoyed when you look out and see someone working or setting up and silently assume it will create problems for you, without actually checking. It’s also possible to ask AIBU and then disagree with everyone who might have suggested there’s an element of that in your post.

Hey Ho! And yes, lots of people would offer a cuppa to a workman doing a job that they hadn’t personally requested. Some people are quite simply friendly and generous. It’s a different mindset and clearly one OP finds alien and can’t relate to. But yes, people do sometimes offer a workman a lolly on a hot day or a drink - it again it’s something some people simply cannot fathom.

Original poster

Bluebirthdaycard · 28/10/2023 15:55

WombatChocolate · 28/10/2023 15:32

Quite simply, life’s easier if you’re more relaxed and expect the best of people and not the worst.

Lots on here say they would have seen what OP did and either popped out to check how long they would be there OR if they’d needed to go out, gone and asked them if they’d move. They wouldn’t have seen this an a massive affront and been outraged that they hadn’t had a letter or a personal knock on the door in advance of them starting work.

But instead, it’s possible to be annoyed when you look out and see someone working or setting up and silently assume it will create problems for you, without actually checking. It’s also possible to ask AIBU and then disagree with everyone who might have suggested there’s an element of that in your post.

Hey Ho! And yes, lots of people would offer a cuppa to a workman doing a job that they hadn’t personally requested. Some people are quite simply friendly and generous. It’s a different mindset and clearly one OP finds alien and can’t relate to. But yes, people do sometimes offer a workman a lolly on a hot day or a drink - it again it’s something some people simply cannot fathom.

Why do you keep feeling the need to attack me and my character? There have been many posters who've disagreed with me who I have not responded to, the only ones I have are people like yourself who go on a personal attack. Suggesting I'm not friendly or generous? This is just one in a number of incidents either by bt or water company who all have their drains stuck outside our house and do what the hell they like including once sticking bollards up so the only way the neighbours could get to their houses in their cars was to drive over the front of our property causing cracks on our paving. But I guess I'm just being petty about that too? And you must live in the friendliest town in the country as I have never heard of anyone offering a lolly, coffee or burger to anyone who isn't working on their own property.

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Skodacool · 28/10/2023 16:06

When we moved into our house the removal van was going to block the close so the men knocked on doors to see if people wanted to move their cars. It’s just common courtesy. They also cleared the snow from the road.

LlynTegid · 28/10/2023 16:08

Whilst I'd like the courtesy the OP refers to, I'd prefer the certain company not to be the enemy of business that they currently are. Adequate customer service would be a marked change from what they provide now.

SillyAutomatic · 28/10/2023 16:13

YANBU. And even if they do move quickly, they're not necessarily going to be nice about it. Our driveway often gets used as a carpark, most recently by some road workers. DH asked perfectly politely if they could move their van and got a mouthful of abuse and told he was being aggro. I went and asked what was so 'aggro' about not wanting to be blocked in all day, and he went full on misogynist and told me he was dealing with the man, and then told DH he needed to get me under control!
No doubt it was all our fault for not being friendly and making them cups of tea 🙄

Original poster

Bluebirthdaycard · 28/10/2023 16:24

SillyAutomatic · 28/10/2023 16:13

YANBU. And even if they do move quickly, they're not necessarily going to be nice about it. Our driveway often gets used as a carpark, most recently by some road workers. DH asked perfectly politely if they could move their van and got a mouthful of abuse and told he was being aggro. I went and asked what was so 'aggro' about not wanting to be blocked in all day, and he went full on misogynist and told me he was dealing with the man, and then told DH he needed to get me under control!
No doubt it was all our fault for not being friendly and making them cups of tea 🙄

Exactly, thank you. Honestly some of the responses I've had on here I think I'm losing my marbles! The first thing I'm asking my friend when I speak to her is to ask if she's offered her next door neighbours workman (having work done at mo) a cup of tea, a hot dog or even a roast dinner and if she hasn't I'm going to tell her she's most unfriendly!😬

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