To not sign this petition? Diagram included

[Whatnowthenfordone]

I live in a small cul-de-sac and my garden gate opens just as a small pedestrian cut turns into the street’s pavement and road. Numbers 1-4 on the diagram are two bedroom terraces, 12 & 13 are 4 bed semis, and the rest are bungalows. The shop is a very small Tesco Express. The green is the pedestrianised cut.

The couple from the bungalow at number 10 have launched a petition to stop access through the cut. I got a letter yesterday from them asking me to sign the petition and have already knocked twice today (waking me up the first time and was making lunch the second time so I haven’t spoken to them).

I don’t want access stopped. I like walking to the shop and elsewhere via the cut and see no reason to have to walk the long way around. On the very rare occasion you might get teenagers going to the shop on their way home who sit on the wall in the cut for a little bit, but not often. I’ve never had any trouble from the cut in the five years I’ve lived here.

But the neighbour said in the letter that the whole street has signed it but me. WIBU to refuse? I really don’t want to have bad blood with the neighbours but given Im one of the two houses which actually fronts onto the cut and don’t have a problem I can’t see what their issue is. WIBU to just hide from her and hope the Council takes no notice of any petition?

Oh, the image is under review. Hopefully it gets approved soon.

if decision makers only hear from people who want it closed, it may be closed. You might want to consider writing to the council in support of the path.

But if it’s a right of way, it’s very unlikely to be closed - you can check an OS map

Well thanks for doing a diagram. But I was somewhat taken aback when I saw it.....

I’ll do that now. Thanks!

I think MNHQ should put that image back under review 😂

What is their problem with it?

As far as I can see, it only goes into your cul de sac so are they saying that people are using it in a way that turns the cul de sac into a thoroughfare for people who don’t live there? And that causes security issues or something?

We’re in the same position. We live in a close with woods at the end, which is popular with dog walkers so we get the odd car or two parked in the close for short periods. A new family moved in and launched a campaign to have double yellows put all round the close. The council have recently agreed to it as long as everyone agrees.

We don’t want it. We can park on our drive but it means our visitors can never park outside and causes problems if we have workmen here. It just seems hugely excessive for a fairly minor ‘problem’ given that every house has a double driveway.

But the organisers knows that we’re the only ones objecting to their plan. I’m just standing my ground. I’ve explained that I have no issue with dog walkers parking outside my house and I won’t be bullied.

Why?

That's a brilliantly awful diagram, I can feel your anger coming out in it! YANBU.

Diagram is perfectly clear to me.

I actually thought the diagram was quite informative once I got past the initial anxiety it somehow gave me 😂

Im not angry at all but I’m pleased you like it! We live in a very small, quiet village up in the Highlands and I’m very much still an outsider. Or at least that’s how it feels.

They’re a lovely couple and the rest of my neighbours have been so welcoming so I don’t want to fall out with anyone. But I also don’t want the cut closed.

Don't sign it if you don't agree with it.

Is it becuase people park in the parking area and then go to the shop through the cut through instead of parking on the street?

If so, then it soon becomes a messy car park with litter and empty food containers... also it becomes a quiet spot for people to meet - that they might not know about if they couldn't go thorugh the cut through to the shop.

We live on a tiny road with a bit of parking and it's a nightmare - we are always having to go out and disturb drug users and prostitutes as well as people sitting in the cars eating KFC and then chucking the wrappers out.

We got a security light which helps... but I expect your neighbours would rather stop the issue with the cut through being closed.

I suspect the persona who commented on your drawing might well be one of your neighbours OP....

Art has never been my forte.

Who owns the land the cut is in? What would happen if it did get closed off? Would you be able to put a gate on either side so you could still use it?

You wouldn't be unreasonable not to sign it if it would have a negative impact on you, no.

I remember a few years back there were plans for a new multi-use games area at the park near to me. Neighbours were complaining that there was already a skate park and more provision would attract more 'undesirable youth and druggies', and set up a petition against it. Given I could only see more provision for sports for youngsters as positive then I refused to sign it.

Don't sign it, say you like it and use it and would prefer to continue to be able to use it.

Well if they’re in NW Scotland and they’ve been organising a petition to get the cut which runs along no. 1&2 in their street closed, then the family at no. 2 doesn’t want to sign. Hopefully this sorts it out 😆.

Same! I don’t see the issue.

Stand your ground OP. From what you’ve described I see no reason why it should be closed off.

@Whatnowthenfordone is there only one entrance into the shop from the car park at the shop? i cant see how it affects number 10 in any way?

But we do enjoy your barbecues and Christmas parties and the kids love it when your grandkids are here, and we in no way want to fall out. Feel full of anxiety now.

Does the petition give any details as to why people want “the cut” closed off? I don’t think your post mentions why, unless I have missed something?

But can you explain what no 10’s problem is? I’m not getting it.

I've never understood people being arsey about things like the public using a path on their street. Other people exist in the world! You can probably survive a few more people walking along your street, blimey.