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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Local hospital service blocking main road - does it matter?

7 replies

ChaoticCrumble · 13/05/2024 18:51

I can't decide whether this is mildly unreasonable or very reasonable. Almost certainly reasonable, but I drew a diagram so may as well share it.

Where I live there is a large estate at the top of the town (with two primaries, its own shops etc) with only two roads serving it (essentially heading in different directions).

One of these main roads out is regularly blocked by a town mini-bus/van that I think must be taking the elderly to hospital or similar. It always parks in front of a customer's house, though there are cars already parked on the other side of the road. It takes a good few minutes to let down the back and let the passenger off (not in a wheelchair but I think can't do the normal step off). I presume they can't walk very far and this is why, but at the same time it means it's impossible for anyone to get past - police, ambulance, anyone. As it's a busy road, traffic backs up in front and behind it quite quickly.

When the driver is done, he usually gets in the van and then turns around in the next drive way up and everyone trundles past, sometimes a bit awkwardly if too many are backed up in both directions. But this is what confuses me! If he can reverse onto the next driveway up, why not reverse onto her drive in the first place?

Is this just a who cares situation, the customer clearly needs the help so who would begrudge it? Or should they be encouraged to park on her drive or in a safer place?

I am just idly wondering as I got stuck behind it for the fourth time today (not visible until I turned into the road).

Local hospital service blocking main road - does it matter?
OP posts:
ChaoticCrumble · 13/05/2024 18:51

(When I say almost certainly reasonable, I mean the van is probably being so...)

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 13/05/2024 18:52

Excellent diagram.

Sirzy · 13/05/2024 18:57

Would there be enough space on her driveway to operate the lifts and safely help her out?

ChaoticCrumble · 13/05/2024 19:26

Hmm I've just looked on google maps and I think so - they're semi-detached houses (diagram too basic, sorry). The dropped curbs are actually two cars wide from the road as they lead up to two houses each. Each house looks to have the same paved drive. But I suppose there could be something about the angle that I'm not getting.

Ideally the other side would be double yellows and there'd be a disabled space on the customer's side.

OP posts:
toomuchfaff · 13/05/2024 19:31

it'll be something to do with it being a public highway vs a private property whereas safety isn't assumed, paving safe etc I'd think. It's got to be health and safety. Only that would explain the lack of common sense.

ChaoticCrumble · 21/05/2024 12:54

Happened again yesterday, so must be a weekly service. I suppose I was wondering if it was worth letting the service owners know, or if it would be seen as an arsehole move.

On balance I think it would - I am lucky enough not to need such a service yet, so I'll probably let it go or see what happens the next few times.

OP posts:
Abigaillovesholidays · 21/05/2024 12:57

Just here to say: excellent diagram!

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