Dealing with neighbours inconsiderate parking

[Tooshyshy123]

One particular neighbour keeps parking on the small footpath which runs down the side of our house. In fact he parks on it so fully there have been times we cannot get out of our gate and have had to clamber over our wall to get out. We did speak to him but he still continues to do it even though there's loads of space further down and there's no reason to park on the path.
Anyway we are thinking of putting some planters on the path outside our gate, possibly right on the edge of the pavement close to the road. Obviously this will stop him parking on the path but will we get into trouble? There will still be room to walk down the path though in an estate of only 6 houses, we are pretty muchnthe only ones who uses it.
Already tried speaking to council who refused to consider dropped kerbs, yellow lines etc

Change your gate so it opens outwards and wallop his car with it when you go in and out.

(or try to!)

I'd put several (loads) of bird feeders inside your wall on stands next to his car, and scatter bird seed along the wall. Especially fat balls to encourage the jackdaws. His car will be shit central, and you are doing absolutely nothing wrong - you're within your own property and not actively damaging his.

Knocking on his car door....

With your gate.....

Just make sure there's a working latch so they cant argue the wind did it / it wasn't secured etc....

@Tooshyshy123 Would something like this metal wall hanging planter be any good?
If he parks too close it will scratch his car.
Bonus if you can plant something spikey.

Because it'll be hanging on your wall/fence it won't be on the public highway.

Picture for my comment.

What is on your title deeds @Tooshyshy123 regarding property access? From what I can gather, this asshat is completely blocking your right of way....you shouldn't have to jump over a wall to access your OWN property! I think he's actually breaking the law rather than simply inconveniencing you.

I would fill a suitcase or large box with something heavy that cannot be lifted over the wall due to a recently acquired shoulder injury and need access to open my gate every single time I left the house to a few weeks- even if it means scrambling the wall to knock on neighbours door to tell him to shift the car. If he refused, well shame if the gate scratches the car.

Doubt you can legally do this but what about something like this. Put it up on the path across from your gate so you can get out. If the council don't care about the parking they probably won't care about this. Also you don't know where it came from

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crystals-Lockable-Folding-Security-Driveway/dp/B078ZB1F8X/ref=asc_df_B078ZB1F8X/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=325407582843&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17235096562307893786&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9040156&hvtargid=pla-698328891976&mcid=4f1792d4e6c33c478d0c396fa57c2042&th=1

If the only way out is over the car, that's what I'd do. Climb over and on the car. That puts the ball firmly back in his court.

I know you don’t drive, but you could get a v small v cheap car that alllows you access and also blocks the lane, so he can’t park his van there. If it’s off road you can SORN it. But I also like the bird seed idea too.

I had something similar, council told me to call parking enforcement who come out and ticket.

The Fire Brigade used to do Home fire safety assessments on properties years ago, to advise on smoke detectors etc and safe exits from properties. If they still do, it may be worthwhile asking for an assessment and discuss the impediment to safety your neighbour is causing. Even if you have another exit from your property, if that route is inaccessible due to fire etc., it’s important any alternative exits are clear to enable escape to safety.

I’d be exiting my gate via his bonnet if he did it after being asked not to. How else does he expect you to get out? Or just put something sticky and brown (Nutella?) on the inside of his door handle. Or set up a sprinkler directed at the spot and turn it on when he comes home. Or ‘borrow’ a traffic cone and put it there. Or…obvs, I’d never actually do any of these things…far too British, but I’d enjoy imagining it!!

Take a picture and put it on the local Facebook/next door page to shame him

I'd probably get a skip. Or buy a cheap car, tax it and park it there.

You haven't told us if this is a public highway, or if it is privately owned.

If it is privately owned, it is important to know who owns it

And who has right to use it.

Please tell us.

It's a shame your gate doesn't open outward. If he's blocking your legal exit then a quick zap with the gate might deter him...failing that I'd be carrying something sharp as I squeeze past his car, it's not like you haven't asked 😉

Sorry if this has been said I just haven’t read every answer but - while you can’t put pots out - it’s also illegal for him to be parking in a way that restricts access to the footpath. So if a person walking, using a wheelchair or pram can’t get past that’s a police matter. The police can and will deal with a car which means that no one can walk on the footpath safely, or at least that’s how it is in Northern Ireland where I am.

Wouldn’t it be a shame if his car kept getting damaged because of where he parks it.

Yes. Call the police when it happens next and report him. Call your local authority traffic warden and report him. Call daily if you need to. Raise a complaint. I find local authorities to be a lot of hot air over the phone but if you stay firm and keep pressing, they’ll do it after the call. Council house behind our house. Scaffolding up for 8 months. Job finished a week after the scaffolding was up. I got fed up and called the council- she was telling me how its contractors’ job and they don’t control them etc etc etc. I told her I will be calling again to properly report the contractor and as if by magic all was gone 2 days later. The family in the house were forever grateful as apparently they’ve asked for the scaffolding to g ed removed month xx earlier but no one could be bothered. Good luck!

A tree that drops the most sticky sap, and/or creates a lovely perch for pigeons, growing directly above the parking spot.

I initially thought this about screw's but then if someone stands on one, a child or adult or even a dog it's not such a great outcome

You could plant a tree. He won't know it's not the council.