Neighbours enormous caravan parked on the road (not drive) for months

[AchillesLastStand]

My neighbours have an enormous caravan that has been parked outside their house on the road for over three months or longer that they have up for sale. It’s directly opposite my house and impacts DH’s ability to reverse out of our drive. He has to reverse out at angle going across our front garden rather than straight. Also no one can park outside our house. Tradesmen have had to park up the road and carry heavy equipment with them.

One of our neighbours is having building work done and we had a cement lorry reversing down the road yesterday past the caravan and now I’ve noticed a small bump on the side of the caravan. I know our neighbours are going to try and pin it on us even though they have no proof and the caravan shouldn’t be parked there that long in the first place obstructing traffic. They have a drive which they’re using for vehicles but I wouldn’t mind if the caravan was parked there for that amount of time. Surely then don’t own the road outside their house and it shouldn’t be there. AIBU,

It's probably legal to park it there. No need to invent a problem re. the bump.

This!!
My DH says the caravan can only be parked on the road when attached to the vehicle that will be towing it. Your neighbours are taking the mickey!

Old plan out new plan in then - buy an old banger, drive it into the caravan at night. Then say oooops I didn’t see it - it had no lights. Hopefully then they’d tow the scrap away!

Top gear of old hated caravans - you could look to them for cathartic caravan destruction footage.

In all seriousness as they’re not motorised I don’t think they’re meant to be on the road they’re more of an obstruction and can be reported to the council as others have said. You don’t always want to have to speak to outrageously inconsiderate people which their neighbours with their thousands of cars all over the place seem to be the epitome of!
to be the

Highway code Rule 242 and Rule 250

Your dh can’t just make up rules 😂😂

No I don’t own the road outside my home but when my disabled DM visits I would like her to be able to park outside my house

You/DH could park on the road close by and let disabled DM use the drive?

Update, I called the police non emergency number today to see what the situation is with caravans being parked on the road. They basically said they can’t deal with it because it’s a civil offence but the council will be interested. I mentioned the lack of lights and he didn’t want to pursue that either. So it looks like it will be the council. I’m sure a lot of my neighbours want it gone and multiple complaints would have more of an impact. I know a couple of my neighbours well enough to have a word, The owner has had complaints made directly at him but he’s done nothing about it…

Edited to say that I checked the covenants for my road and no caravans are allowed to be parked on drives. I think it goes without saying that would also include the road.

Just set fire to the bloody thing.

I wish someone would! Or it befalls a freak accident!

The police will not deal with it as it hasn’t got an engine, they pass the buck any complaints go to council. If it has an engine they will deal with it.

you may find the council try and pass it back as a police matter - jyst tell them it’s not a police matter as there isn’t an engine

Report it three times then ask for an Anti Social Behaviour review

https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/asb-case-review/

Has anyone mentioned that whilst parking the caravan probably isn't illegal, reversing onto the road would be if its a main road. I would hate the caravan out their too, by the way.

A 'caravan' is not classed as a 'vehicle' as it's not self propelling and has to be towed so most definitely not legally allowed to be parked on a highway/road...A 'camper van' or 'motor home' can be parked on a road as long as it's taxed, MOT's and insured in the same way as any other vehicle...The most effective way to make your neighbours move the caravan is to involve the local council or even the police citing nuisance/inconvenience and possibly road safety issues? Do you live in a very quiet area or perhaps a village because in most towns or cities it would be very unusual for a caravan, especially a large one, to be allowed to sit on the road for a long period of time without being categorically told to move it!! 🙄

Yes, I’m in a village and it’s a quiet residential road. I can see all my neighbours are trying to turn a blind eye, but it’s been parked there way too long. Also it’s partially on the road and partially on the pavement which is illegal. If it was fully in the road the bin lorry and other large vehicles wouldn’t be able to get past.

UPDATE: The caravan is being moved! Maybe the bump has made his realise it’s a liability or maybe he taking it to get the bump repaired or maybe they’re going on holiday in it and then it’ll be back. Who knows?

I’m glad the caravan is being moved, but why on Earth would you think the covenant included the road?

But a caravan isn’t a vehicle. It doesn’t have an engine

Glad to hear it's being moved if even temporarily! However if they do try to park it again in the same spot and in the same way, encroaching onto the pavement that gives you even more ammunition as it is most definitely, as you said, illegal to park anything on the pavement which could impede the way for pedestrians, could be a potential danger for children or the elderly or disabled either in a wheelchair or using a disability scooter! Good luck, do persevere, these selfish folk should not be allowed to ride roughshod over their neighbours legitimate wishes and the law!!

But a caravan isn’t a vehicle. It doesn’t have an engine

You can park a bicycle on a kerb, (used to happen regularly in the past and nothing has changed in the law to stop it happening) its not illegal to do so and a bicycle doesn't have an engine

https://www.insuremy.co.uk/blog/touring-caravan-laws-regulations-uk#:~:text=Yes%2C%20you%20can.,the%20direction%20of%20oncoming%20drivers.

;local councils may have restrictions but its not illegal

www.lambeth.gov.uk/parking/parking-restrictions/where-you-can-park/non-motorised-vehicles#:~:text=Non%2Dmotorised%20vehicles%2Fstructures%20such,%2C%20on%20yellow%20lines%20etc).